Rubin DCruz removed as Director of KSICL

THIRUVNANTHAPURAM: In a surprise move, Thursday’s Cabinet meeting decided to remove Rubin D’Cruz as director of the Kerala State Institute of Children’s Literature (KSICL).D’Cruz, who was assistant editor with the National Book Trust (NBT), was invited over by the previous LDF Government to head the institute and was later permanently absorbed in the state service.It is understood that the UDF Government has decided to replace him on the grounds that he does not have a BEd or teaching experience in colleges, two of four pre-requisites for being appointed director.The officer, who had been assistant editor with NBT for 14 years, had come over on  deputation on the invitation of the Kerala Government which, at the time, required a professional to head the institute.After the deputation period expired, it was the government itself that requested him to continue in the post after resigning from NBT. Even the resignation letter was passed on to NBT by the State Government. He was later permanently absorbed in the state service.During his four years as director, sales of institute publications touched Rs 2.56 crore, almost matching the total sales for the 25 years before that (Rs 2.76 crore). The government decision will put D’Cruz is in a catch 22 situation as he can no longer return to NBT.When contacted by Express, Rubin D’Cruz said that he would move the court against the decision.