Senior Kerala IAS officer B Ashok (IAS:1998:KL) has now shot off a letter to the Chief Secretary Sarada Muraleedharan (IAS:1990:KL) objecting to his appointment as the Local Self-Government Reforms Commission Chairman. Ashok has expressed his inability to accept his transfer order, alleging that it violates the rules.
Ashok, who holds the rank of Principal Secretary, was recently transferred from the Agriculture department to the LSG Reform Commission without his consent. It created a furor as the legality of the government action came to be seriously questioned. A large number of bureaucrats are siding with Ashok in openly criticizing the government’s decision.
Ashok, in the letter, has pointed out that the Supreme Court mandates prior consent from the officer when appointing outside the IAS cadre, a requirement that was not followed in his case.
His letter also emphasized that transferring an officer from a cadre post to a non-cadre position breaches service rules. It is important to mention here that the position of Chairperson of the independent Local Self-Government Reforms Commission falls outside the IAS cadre.
Further, his appointment was made without obtaining approval from the Central Government. According to the Civil Service rules, prior approval from the Union Ministry of Personnel is required to appoint civil service officers at commissions or tribunals.
Ashok is said to be contemplating to approach the Central Administrative Tribunal and the High Court citing that this appointment is contrary to the rules.
Also Read: IAS officer B Ashok’s transfer deepens bureaucratic dissension in Kerala
Join Us on WhatsApp