Kochi: The ongoing dispute between suspended IAS officer B Ashok and the Kerala government has escalated, with Ashok approaching the Central Administrative Tribunal (Ernakulam Bench) seeking contempt proceedings against Chief Secretary A Jayathilak.
Allegation of Violation of Tribunal Order
In his petition, Ashok alleged that the state government violated an earlier order of the Tribunal by assigning the charge of Excise Commissioner to J Kishore Kumar after removing M R Ajithkumar from the post.
He argued that the move was in direct contravention of the CAT’s ruling on cadre-specific appointments.
Read also: Suspended IAS Officer B Ashok Hits Back at Kerala CM, Alleges ‘Subservience Culture’
CAT Ruling on IAS Cadre Posts
The Tribunal had earlier held that key positions such as:
- Excise Commissioner
- Director of Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA)
- Director General of Institute of Management in Government (IMG)
are designated IAS cadre posts and should be held only by serving IAS officers.
Concerns Over Civil Services Board Process
Ashok further contended that the Chief Secretary, who also serves as Chairman of the Civil Services Board, failed to convene the Board to appoint an eligible IAS officer to the Excise Commissioner post after the previous incumbent was removed.
He termed this omission a procedural lapse and a violation of established administrative norms.
Dispute Continues to Escalate
The latest move adds another layer to the ongoing confrontation between Ashok and the state government, which has already seen legal challenges and administrative disputes in recent months.
The matter is now expected to be taken up by the CAT Ernakulam Bench for further proceedings.
Profile: Who is IAS Officer B Ashok?
B Ashok is a 1998-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Kerala cadre, widely regarded for his academic depth and administrative experience.
Personal and Academic Background:
- Date of Birth: February 27, 1973
- Native Place: Chathannoor, Kollam, Kerala
Education:
- B.V.Sc. & A.H. from Kerala Agricultural University
- M.A. from the University of Turin, Italy
- M.Sc. from Madras University
- Academic exposure at institutions in London and Duke University
Career Highlights:
- Served in multiple senior roles including Secretary, Managing Director, Director, and District Collector
- Held the position of Vice Chancellor of Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University
- Worked as Private Secretary to the Union Minister for Agriculture and Food
- Served as Deputy Director at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie
- Led projects including a World Bank-supported initiative
Academic and Intellectual Contributions:
- Authored five books and over 1,000 articles on public policy
- Recipient of Canada’s International Research Award for Sociology Research Dissertation (2019)
- Has served as faculty and guest lecturer at various national and international institutions
IAS Ashok is also known within bureaucratic circles as an intellectually inclined officer with a strong interest in governance reforms, rural development, and public policy.
