In a significant development, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Ernakulam Bench, on June 3 set aside the Kerala government’s order appointing Dr B Ashok (IAS:1998:KL), Principal Secretary, Agriculture Department, as Chairman of the Kerala State Local Self-Government Reforms Commission.
The verdict was delivered by a bench comprising Justice Sunil Thomas and V Rama Mathew in response to a petition filed by Dr Ashok himself. He had challenged the state government’s order dated January 9, 2024, appointing him to the post, arguing that it violated provisions of the All India Services (Cadre) Rules, 1954.
Dr Ashok contended that the state government had transferred him from a cadre post to a deputation post without his consent, as required under Rule 6(1) of the AIS Cadre Rules. The tribunal accepted this argument and noted that his appointment lacked the requisite procedural compliance.
The tribunal further held that the government’s action was in contravention of both IAS cadre rules and deputation norms, reinforcing the requirement that an officer’s consent is essential before any such transfer from a cadre to a non-cadre post.
Following the CAT’s order, Dr Ashok is expected to continue in his current roles as Principal Secretary of the Agriculture Department and as Agricultural Production Commissioner.
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