Chandy denies differences among bureaucrats

Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy Friday said there were no differences among a section of state bureaucrats, and that he has ordered a probe into how the reports surfaced in media.

Former Left Front government minister Mathew T. Thomas sought leave of the Kerala assembly to move an adjournment motion and said a section of bureaucrats led by Chief Secretary E.K. Bharath Bhushan were up in arms against another group of bureaucrats, resulting in disruption in day-to-day administration.

"The recent happenings where the chief secretary is up in arms against a section of his colleagues has crippled the state administration," he said.

"Never before has such a thing happened when a senior bureaucrat - Raju Narayana Swamy - who was also a first rank holder in the civil services exam, is being taken to task after he complained against the chief secretary," said Thomas.

In response, Chandy said the state cabinet will probe on how media reports surfaced on the issue.

"Don't forget that it was during your tenure (V.S. Achuthanandan as chief minister 2006-11) that a chief secretary had to quit office. Unlike that, there are no issues and governance is going on as always without any problem," said Chandy.

"We have asked the Additional Chief Secretary, K.M. Abraham, to conduct a probe into this and also have directed former cabinet secretary K.M. Chandrashekeran, the present state Planning Board vice chairman, to initiate talks between the IAS officers in the state," added Chandy.

Chandy also said that civil service officials in the state do opt for deputation and this is part of their job.

"You pointed out at present there are 45 IAS officials from the state now... during your time (with V.S. Achuthanandan as chief minister 2006-11), there were 41 of them on deputation," Chandy said.

"... it is quite natural that there could be minor differences of opinion among the bureaucrats. We are quite capable of taking care of that," added Chandy.

Unhappy with the reply, Achuthanandan said the duo of the chief secretary and chief minister are having a free reign.

"Yesterday (Thursday), I had raised an allegation against Bhushan of concealing his assets and I stand by that. I wish you order a probe into it," said Achuthanandan.

Bhushan has since denied any wrongdoing and has dismissed all allegations against him.