Transfer to Local Self-government Commission cancelled; B Ashok can continue in Agriculture Department

KOCHI: The Central Administrative Tribunal has cancelled the Kerala government order appointing senior IAS officer Dr. B. Ashok as the chairman of the Local Government Reforms Commission. Ashok can continue as the Principal Secretary of the Agriculture Department and the Agricultural Production Commissioner.

The order of the tribunal, headed by Justice Sunil Thomas and comprising V Rama Mathew, was in response to Ashok's petition alleging that his transfer to a post outside the IAS cadre was illegal.

The cabinet decided to transfer Ashok 'out of the agenda'. The order was issued on January 9. However, the tribunal clarified that the central government should take a decision on such matters with the consent of the IAS officer concerned. The state action is not legal. The tribunal pointed out that it is a violation of the provisions of the IAS Cadre Rules and the Indian Administrative Service (Pay) Rules. The order was subsequently quashed.

When the petition was considered earlier, the government had informed that the transfer had come into effect and Tinku Biswal had been given the additional charge of Principal Secretary, Agriculture Department and Agricultural Production Commissioner. This was not accepted by the CAT. The government had temporarily frozen the order and allowed B Ashok to continue in the Agriculture Department.