Thiruvananthapuram: In a significant development, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has stayed the Kerala government’s order appointing senior IAS officer Dr. B Ashok as the Chairman and Managing Director of the Kerala Transport Development Finance Corporation (KTDFC).
Dr. Ashok, who is currently serving as the Principal Secretary of the Agriculture Department, will continue in that post following the tribunal’s interim decision.
Background of the Appointment Order
In August 2025, the Kerala Government’s General Administration Department (GAD) issued an order appointing Dr. Ashok as Chairman and Managing Director of KTDFC.
However, the officer challenged the appointment in the Central Administrative Tribunal, raising legal and procedural concerns over the order.
CAT’s Observations on the Appointment
The tribunal observed that-
- The power to depute an IAS officer to any post, including those in Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), lies exclusively with the Union Government, not the state.
- Such deputation requires the consent of the officer concerned.
- The Kerala government’s order was not legally sustainable, as it exercised a power it does not hold under the All India Services (Cadre) Rules.
This forms the basis of the tribunal’s decision to stay the order.
Earlier Legal Dispute Involving Dr. Ashok
This is not the first time the officer has approached the tribunal against a government posting–
- In January 2025, the state had appointed him as the Chairman of the Local Self Government Reforms Commission, transferring him from his role as Agricultural Production Commissioner and Principal Secretary (Agriculture).
- Dr. Ashok had again approached the CAT, arguing that the deputation order was issued without his consent.
- The CAT had then directed the government to allow him to continue in his agriculture role and later set aside the state’s order entirely.
Despite upholding the government’s discretion in choosing appointees, the CAT emphasized that deputation must follow due legal procedure and involve the consent of the officer.
Leave and Rejoining Details
Following the controversial KTDFC posting, Dr. Ashok applied for leave. He is scheduled to rejoin duty on September 15, continuing his responsibilities in the Agriculture Department.
