KOCHI: No criteria or formula is applied for selecting the recipients of Padma Awards, which is one of the highest civilian awards of the country, central government has informed the Kerala High Court. Selection is made on the basis of lifetime achievement by a committee constituted by the Prime Minister, the court was told.The government was responding to a petition alleging that NRI Sundar Aditya Menon has been selected for Padma Shri award this year despite his alleged involvement in criminal cases. In the petition filed by CK Padmanabhan of Changaroth in Kozhikode, it was alleged that United Arab Emirates recommended Menon without knowing his shady background and by owing to his tremendous influence and money power.Speaking about the criteria for Padma Awards, a counter affidavit filed by Ministry of Home Affairs to the high court said, "While no rigid criteria or trenchant formula for selection is applied by the Padma Awards Committee, it looks for lifetime achievement of an individual while making a selection."Every year, the Prime Minister constitutes the Committee, which is headed by the cabinet secretary and includes the home secretary, secretary to the President, and four to six eminent persons nominated by the Prime Minister. The awards are given on the basis of the recommendations of the Committee, the court was told.The persons recommended for the awards are subjected to verification of their character and antecedents by the investigating and intelligence agencies of the central government. However, no reference is made to the state government to verify the antecedents. In the case of Menon, no adverse input was given by any of the central agencies that verified his antecedents, the affidavit said.Further, the government informed that Menon was not recommended for Padma Shri by United Arab Emirates, as alleged. According to the government, he was recommended by the Governor of Goa, Union Law Minister, Minister of State for Home, etc.Recommendations for Padma Awards are received from various quarters including Governors, Chief Ministers, Central or State Ministers, Members of Parliament or Legislative Assemblies. Self-recommendations are also received, the court was informed.Other than stating that Menon was selected for Padma Shri in the field of social work, Ministry of Home Affairs has not divulged details of his contribution. As per the affidavit, the recommendations of the Padma Awards Committee are submitted in the form of a note and it contains communication between the Prime Minister and the President, which is privileged under Article 74(2) of the Constitution.In the petition filed through advocate SM Prasanth, it was alleged that no reference was made to the state government by the central government before including Menon in the list even though he is a resident of Kerala. The petitioner is aware of the antisocial activities of Menon for the past 30 years and it is reliably known that he was involved in a Customs case in Mumbai in connection with smuggling of gold, the petition had stated.East Fort police station of Thrissur has registered a case against Menon for criminal breach of trust, cheating, criminal intimidation, and conspiracy and investigation is progressing. There were other complaints against him but he has been able to cover up all these due to his tremendous influence and money power. Without knowing his shady background, UAE succumbed to his pressure and recommended him for the award, it was alleged.