Faction widens among IAS officers in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The infighting between additional chief secretary Jayathilak and agriculture department special secretary N Prashanth has rocked the secretariat, which is the administrative headquarters. The ministers who see the by-election as a life-and-death battle are running away from governance. Files are piling up without being disposed off.

The IAS officers who were tasked with implementing the welfare activities and development schemes formulated by the government for the people have divided into two factions.

Agriculture Department Special Secretary N Prasanth, who had criticised and mocked Additional Chief Secretary Jayatilak on social media, continued to do so yesterday as well.

Prashanth's latest allegation is that Jayatilak has ruined the careers and lives of honest officers who refused to write files, reports and notes in the manner prescribed. Prashanth unequivocally announced that he was becoming a whistleblower to put an end to this trend and that the revelations would continue.

In the last assembly session, the chief minister himself had informed that around three lakh files were yet to be disposed of. Now their numbers have increased again. The officials who are supposed to take the lead in deciding on these are competing to blame eachother. Such a situation has never happened in the state before. Senior IAS officers are of the view that Prashanth should be controlled. The young IAS officers are of the opinion that someone should open up about things.

Meanwhile, former minister and CPM state committee member J Mercykutty Amma came out against Prashanth. In her Facebook post, Mercykutty Amma said that Prashanth played the villain in a political conspiracy with former opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala. When asked for his response, Prashanth made fun of it by saying, "Who is it?" This points to the fact that the issue will get worse.

Incidents that have tarnished the image of the government have been on the rise in the recent past. The ADGP, which was in charge of maintaining law and order, had to be replaced after repeated allegations raised by an MLA who was in the Left. The news media was also flooded with an IPS officer pleading with the same MLA. All this was a remnant of the long-growing infighting and deteriorating standards among the IPS officers. Now the IAS officers has also entered into an open squabble.

Recommendation for action against Prashanth and Gopalakrishnan

Reports have been handed over by Chief Secretary Sarada Muraleedharan to the Chief Minister, recommending action against Agriculture Department Special Secretary N Prasanth, who had levelled serious allegations against Additional Chief Secretary Jayathilak yesterday, and industries director Gopalakrishnan, who created a WhatsApp group on the basis of religion. Prashanth is likely to be temporarily removed from all duties. Gopalakrishnan's increment is also likely to be blocked. There are also strong rumours that he will be suspended.

It is learned in the report that Prashanth's statement is a violation of discipline and will send a wrong message in public against IAS officers. The action was recommended after rejecting Gopalakrishnan's explanation citing the police report.

"It is being taken seriously that IAS officers started WhatsApp groups on the basis of religion. The issue is being examined by the government. Necessary action will be taken.

- M.V.Govindan, CPM State Secretary