Thiruvananthapuram: A day after being placed under suspension, senior IAS officer B Ashok has strongly criticised Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, accusing the administration of fostering a culture that prioritises subservience over merit.
Ashok alleged that a “caucus” of serving IAS officers, led by a retired bureaucrat, had been working for nearly six months to ensure a third term for the ruling government.
Allegations of Bureaucratic Influence and ‘Power Centre’
Ashok pointed to the appointment of K M Abraham as ‘Chief Principal Secretary’ to the Chief Minister as a key factor behind what he described as an atmosphere of intimidation within the civil services.
He claimed that the post, held by a retired officer, was against established IAS service norms and that such a position does not formally exist within the cadre structure.
According to Ashok, Abraham exercised significant influence over administrative decisions, including transfers of IAS officers and even postings of the Chief Secretary, leading to what he termed a “duality of control” within the system.
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Concerns Over Administrative Functioning
Ashok said that during the first ministry of Pinarayi Vijayan, the role of Principal Secretary was held by serving IAS officer M Sivasankar, who ensured effective coordination between departments and the Chief Minister’s Office.
However, after Sivasankar’s suspension in a separate controversy, Abraham—who was serving as CEO of Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB)—was given additional charge, which later expanded in scope.
He alleged that this created an extra layer within the bureaucracy, disrupting coordination and affecting administrative efficiency.
Allegations of Overreach and Financial Irregularities
Ashok further claimed that Abraham’s control over KIIFB gave him disproportionate influence, describing the institution as an “extra-constitutional power centre.”
He alleged that KIIFB’s fund utilisation exceeded that of several government departments and raised concerns over its role in publicity campaigns.
According to him, public funds, including those borrowed by KIIFB, were allegedly being used for large-scale publicity initiatives, including a reported ₹130 crore campaign by a Mumbai-based agency. He questioned the legality of such expenditure, stating that KIIFB funds are meant for infrastructure development and related purposes.
Claims of Intimidation and Administrative Action
The suspended officer alleged that officers raising questions were being sidelined. He cited his removal from the position of Local Administration Commission after questioning the appointment of KIIFCON as consultants for the Wayanad Rehabilitation Project.
Ashok also termed his suspension as “vindictive,” claiming that such action could only be initiated at the level of the Chief Minister for an officer of his rank.
Ongoing Legal and Administrative Disputes
Ashok, who also serves as president of the Kerala IAS Association, said the association had been engaged in legal battles with the government since 2023. He claimed that the association had succeeded in multiple cases where the Advocate General represented the state.
He also referred to a March 26 order by the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), which criticised the state government’s frequent transfers of IAS officers and set aside multiple transfer orders issued to him during his tenure as Agriculture Principal Secretary and Agriculture Production Commissioner.
Calls for Review of Administrative Practices
Ashok stated that the IAS Association would formally approach the government to reconsider the practice of appointing retired officers to key administrative positions, calling it a “poor precedent.”.
He also hinted at broader irregularities in entities led by retired officials, though he did not provide specific details.
Government Yet to Respond
While the allegations have triggered significant debate within administrative and political circles, there has been no official response from the Kerala government regarding the claims made by Ashok.
A Controversy with Wider Implications
The developments have brought renewed focus on governance practices, bureaucratic independence, and the relationship between political leadership and civil services in Kerala.
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