THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government has stated that it will not give in to the excessive pressure of the pro-CPM organization which is holding a protest following a dispute with the KSEB chairman. The government also stated that the chairman can take a legal decision in the matter.

Dr B. Ashok, Chairman and Managing Director of KSEB will have full freedom to resolve issues in the KSEB. The Chairman will take decisions on issues including the suspension of organization leaders. The Officers' Association, which is conducting an indefinite Satyagraha strike, has also stated that it is ready for talks with the management. This has paved the way for a compromise.

K Krishnankutty, who arrived in Thiruvananthapuram yesterday, clarified the government's stand. The government also briefed its stance to chairman Dr B Ashok. The chairman said the issues would be resolved within two days. The government also informed the Officers' Association of its position through the CITU leaders. Subsequently, Association President MG Suresh Kumar and
General Secretary B Harikumar, who are under suspension, replied to the charge memo. Executive Engineer Jasmine Banu, who was initially suspended, is likely to be reinstated today in the wake of the High Court order.

Jasmine Banu was suspended for keeping away from the office without officially taking leave. The president and general secretary of the association were suspended for questioning this action by storming into the chairman's room. The association had demanded to lift the suspension and replace the chairman. The IAS Association and the Industrial Confederation had lodged a complaint with the Chief Minister against pressurising the superior officials.

The situation was aggravated yesterday when CITU State Secretary KS Sunilkumar insulted the Electricity Minister during the strike and by the association's allegation that the KSEB chairman had given incorrect figures for tariff revision. The chairman has denied the allegations.

Electricity Minister K Krishnankutty, who arrived in the capital yesterday to discuss the issue, made his stand clear after meeting the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister was given a detailed report on how the arrogant nature of the pro-CPM Officers' Association was putting the functioning of the institution in crisis.