Setback for govt; CAT intervenes in transfer of IAS officers, Ajith Kumar likely to lose post

KOCHI: The state government has suffered a major setback in connection with the transfer of IAS officers. The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) had ordered strict compliance with the 2014 Cadre Rules on a plea filed by the IAS Officers Association. The CAT also quashed three transfer orders, including the transfer of B Ashok.

The CAT has clarified that the appointment of non-cadre officers in the posts of IAS officers is illegal. The CAT says that the order is to prevent political interests from interfering in the service conditions and transfers of IAS officers. With the implementation of the verdict, significant reshuffling will have to be done in key posts of the state.

The tribunal also observed that the post of excise commissioner is an IAS cadre post and only they can be appointed there. This will be a major setback for the present excise commissioner M R Ajith Kumar. Ajith Kumar will have to be removed from the post. The order also clarified that the posts of Kila and IMG director are also IAS cadre posts. The tribunal also reminded that appointments in violation of cadre rules are outside the jurisdiction of the government.