LSG commission appointment in legal tangle; B Ashok's transfer without central approval

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Dr B Ashok, who holds the rank of Principal Secretary, was appointed as the Local Self-Government Reforms Commission without the approval of the central government. According to the Civil Service Amendment Act, prior approval of the Union Ministry of Personnel is required for the appointment of civil servants as commissions and tribunals.

The state government can send a recommendation to the centre for this. At the Centre, the files of those up to the Joint Secretary are to be approved by the Minister of State for Personnel and the files of those above are to be approved by the Prime Minister in charge of the Ministry of Personnel. As Ashok holds the rank of Senior Additional Secretary at the Centre, he cannot be appointed as the commission without the approval of the Prime Minister.

Ashok will approach the Central Administrative Tribunal and the High Court alleging that the appointment is illegal. The amendment was brought to require permission to not depute civil servants for investigations against the Centre. The cabinet decided to appoint Ashok without considering this. The commission has not been formed and no order has been issued yet as the illegality has been realized. Senior IAS officers have informed the government that the appointment was made without seeking central approval.

Task of commission is only recommendation

1. Current LSG laws should be reviewed and recommended based on development and environmental protection.
2. Recommendations should be made to provide maximum services online to people without making them visit the office.
3. The laws, regulations and guidelines of other states may be examined and recommendations may be made
4. Recommendation to revise current regulations on mobile apps, e-office and digitalisation
5. Advance recommendations may be made for implementation of projects foreseeing the availability of funds. International models can also be suggested.
6. Recommendations should be made to make services of local bodies more people-friendly and increase resources.

(As stated in the note considered by the cabinet meeting)

One year tenure

• The tenure of the commission is one year. Local officials will be redeployed to the commission.
• The expense should be borne by the Finance Department. The vehicle and driver should be provided by the tourism department.