The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) on Tuesday (September 9, 2025) stayed the Kerala government’s order appointing senior IAS officer B Ashok (IAS:1998:KL) as Chairman and Managing Director of the Kerala Transport Development Finance Corporation (KTDFC). Ashok will continue in his present role as Principal Secretary, Agriculture Department.
In August, the General Administration Department (GAD) had issued an order transferring Ashok to KTDFC. However, he challenged the posting before the CAT, arguing that the state lacked the authority to effect such deputations without his consent. Acting on his plea, the tribunal stayed the government order.
Following the transfer directive, Ashok had applied for leave and is expected to rejoin his Agriculture posting on September 15.
This is not the first time Ashok has contested his transfer. In January 2025, he was appointed Chairman of the Local Self Government (LSG) Reforms Commission after being moved out as Agricultural Production Commissioner & Principal Secretary (Agriculture). He challenged that order as well, and the CAT set it aside, allowing him to continue in the Agriculture Department.
At the time, Ashok had contended that his deputation order was issued without his consent. The tribunal observed that while postings are primarily the executive’s prerogative, deputation of IAS officers to certain roles can be ordered only by the Union government, and not by the state acting unilaterally.
The latest CAT order is seen as a setback for the Kerala government, which has faced repeated legal challenges from Ashok over its transfer decisions.
Also Read: B Ashok likely to challenge transfer order, set for fresh legal battle
Also Read: Kerala govt transfers three IAS officers; B Ashok is new Chairman of KTDFC
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