Thiruvananthapuram, June 7: The Kerala government, led by V.D. Satheesan, has officially revoked the suspension of senior IAS officers Dr. B. Ashok and N. Prashant, bringing an end to a prolonged dispute within the state’s bureaucracy. Both officers were suspended during the previous tenure of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
With this decision, both officials are set to return to service. The government is expected to announce their new postings soon.
This move is seen as a significant reversal of the disciplinary actions initiated by the previous administration. Both officers have consistently adopted a critical stance towards government policies and the functioning of senior officials.
Sources indicate that the decision was influenced by a shortage of senior IAS officers in the state and the perception that the disciplinary actions taken by the previous government were excessively harsh.
Dr. B. Ashok, who served as the Principal Secretary of the Department of Soldier Welfare, was suspended just before the announcement of the assembly election results. He faced allegations from the then Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for criticizing government policies and operations in the media.
The suspension order stated that he violated the All India Services Conduct Rules by making statements in the media and on social media without prior government approval, thereby damaging the government’s image.
Dr. Ashok opposed this action, asserting that the caretaker government lacked the authority to make such a decision, deeming it legally unsustainable.
Previously, he had been transferred multiple times following reports of alleged irregularities related to the KERA project. He was removed from several key positions, including the Agriculture Department, and appointed to roles such as Managing Director of KTDFFC, Commissioner of Local Self-Government, and Principal Secretary of the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms. Some of these transfers were challenged by him in court.
On the other hand, N. Prashant had been out of service for nearly two years. The government had initiated disciplinary action against him nine times. He was first suspended on November 11, 2024, for making critical comments and allegations against then Chief Secretary Dr. A. Jayathilak on social media.
Prashant, known for his active presence on social media, often responded to disciplinary actions with satirical posts. The last action against him was due to an article he wrote in an English newspaper about the state’s lottery system without government permission.
The reinstatement of both officers is viewed as a sign of the new government’s changing approach towards bureaucrats. It is anticipated that their return may lead to significant administrative reshuffles within the state secretariat and several key departments.
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