Thiruvananthapuram, November 12, 2024 (Yes Punjab News)
In a major disciplinary action, the Kerala state government has suspended two senior IAS officers—N. Prasanth, Agriculture Department Special Secretary, and Gopalakrishnan, Industries Department Director—for alleged misconduct that brought disrepute to the administration. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan ordered the suspensions based on a report submitted by Chief Secretary Sharada Muraleedharan, which detailed violations of service rules by both officers.
Allegations Against N. Prasanth
N. Prasanth, who serves as the Special Secretary in the Agriculture Development and Farmers’ Welfare Department, was suspended following a series of public allegations against Additional Chief Secretary A. Jayathilak. Prasanth reportedly criticized Jayathilak indirectly through a Facebook post, hinting at his discontent over an investigation conducted against him without, he claimed, following proper protocol. A group of IAS officers backed Prasanth, asserting that the inquiry led by Jayathilak was conducted outside the set procedures typically required for investigations, especially those involving senior IAS officials.
However, another group of officials argued that Prasanth’s public statements amounted to a breach of service rules, stating that openly criticizing a senior official is unacceptable and violates the code of conduct expected from government servants.
Misconduct by Gopalakrishnan
Industries Department Director Gopalakrishnan faced suspension over the creation of a religion-based WhatsApp group, which reportedly contravened service regulations. Initially, Gopalakrishnan claimed that his phone was hacked, resulting in the unauthorized formation of these groups. However, a police investigation found this claim to be false, concluding that the groups were created intentionally. Despite being asked to provide an explanation, Gopalakrishnan’s response failed to satisfy the Chief Secretary.
Government’s Stance
Chief Minister Vijayan issued the suspension order signaling the government’s intent to maintain accountability within its ranks. Revenue Minister K. Rajan stated that stringent action will be taken against any official found violating service rules, regardless of their position, further underscoring the administration’s commitment to discipline and protocol.
The suspensions highlight the state government’s adherence to service rules and its zero-tolerance stance on actions that could tarnish the image of the administration.
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