Worsening bureaucrat battle; IAS officers N Prasanth, K Gopalakrishnan suspended

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Amidst a worsening tiff between IAS officers, the government on Monday night issued suspension orders for Agriculture Department Special Secretary N. Prashanth and Industries Department Director K Gopalakrishnan.

IAS officer N Prasanth has been courting controversy over his ‘insulting remarks’ against IAS Dr A Jayathilak on social media. Meanwhile, Gopalakrishnan was awaiting punitive action from the government after it was confirmed that he started a religion-based WhatsApp group for IAS officers in the state.

Chief Secretary Sarada Muraleedharan had earlier handed over the report of the spat to the Chief Minister, recommending action against N Prasanth, who had levelled serious allegations against Additional Chief Secretary Jayathilak, and Industries director Gopalakrishnan, who created a WhatsApp group based on religion. Gopalakrishnan's increment is also likely to be blocked.

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.