Raj Bhavan march: Probe against Kerala University officials too

Thiruvananthapuram: State Chief Secretary V P Joy has directed to issue show cause notices to 7 Government officials who had taken part in the LDF’s massive protest march to Raj Bhavan, against the Governor’s alleged interference in the Higher Education sector of Kerala. 

The Raj Bhavan is also probing the complaint that the officers with the Kerala University had also taken part in the protest march.

As per the complaint submitted by the BJP, seven leaders, including two additional secretaries, of the pro-CPM associations with the Secretariat, had taken part in the protest march.

Governor’s Principal Secretary had written to the Chief Secretary seeking to inform the ‘actions taken’ against the Government officials who violated their service rules and participated in the political march.

The complaint is against additional secretaries P Honey, Shiny, Section officers G Sivakumar, E Nasar, K N Ashok Kumar, I Kavitha and Office attendant Kalluvila Ajith.

The BJP leaders had filed the complaint to the Chief Secretary before handing it to the Governor.

Raj Bhavan has now sought the Chief Secretary the details on actions initiated against these officials as per this complaint.

After receiving the letter from Raj Bhavan, Chief Secretary V P Joy has directed to issue show cause notices to the officials.

The secretaries of the Finance and Public Administration departments are to issue the notices.

Once their explanations are submitted, a report on the action initiated would be handed over to the Chief Secretary.

The Chief secretary would collate this report and send it to Raj Bhavan.

BJP state president K Surendran had raised an allegation that the government officials had taken part in the massive protest march against Raj Bhavan, held on 15 th of this month.

Following this, BJP district president V V Rajesh filed a complaint along with the name and details of the officials, photographs and video evidence of their presence in the march.

Provision for dismissal too
As per the provisions under the government officials’ Code of Conduct rules, and Classification Control and Appeal Rules, the violating officials can even be dismissed from the service.

Actions like withholding their pay increment can also be taken.

Earlier, officials have been dismissed for violation of service rules along similar lines.

A government official protesting against the Governor - deemed to be State Government’s ‘head’ - is considered a serious offence.

If the Government does not initiate action, chances are that the Court may be moved against the officials.