THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government may not take action against former Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister M Sivashankar based on his autobiography writing. It is based on the assessment that there are no references in the book which criticises the government or government policies. According to the All India Service Rules, 1968, an IAS officer does not need prior permission to write a book during his service. But if the book criticizes government policies or the government, action can be taken against him.

M. Sivashankar's book 'Ashwatthamavu Verum Oru Ana' criticises central government agencies and the media. It is in this context that it has been decided not to take action for the time being.

Earlier, the CPM had come out in support of Shivshankar. CPM state secretariat member Ananthalavattam Anandan had said that Sivshankar's statement against the investigating agencies and the media was true and the IAS officer was framed as the culprit. He also said that the response of Swapna Suresh, the accused in the gold smuggling case, could not be trusted.