Kerala bureaucrats have no problems, says Chandy

There are no issues or problems among the bureaucrats in the state as highlighted in the media, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said Sunday.

"There are minor issues between the bureaucrats and that is because of difference of opinion that exists between them due to a misunderstanding... this is not what has been highlighted in the media. They (IAS Association) are meeting me tomorrow (Monday) and talks are also being held amongst themselves to resolve the difference of opinion that has risen," he told reporters here.

"I say this with a firm conviction because I know fully what's happening. Things are all fine and there are no issues at all and governance is as usual," said Chandy, who also dismissed the allegations in the assembly Friday.

Some media outlets have reported that a section of the bureaucrats led by Chief Secretary E.K. Bharath Bhushan are up in arms against a set of their colleagues. The issue was sparked off after the state government ordered a probe into how the complaint of senior bureaucrat Raju Narayana Swamy against Bhushan reached the media.

On Sunday, senior bureaucrat Tom Jose also sought to clarify matters to the media.

Jose said he was forced to issue this statement of clarification as confidential information relating to his property was selectively leaked to the media so as to create a veil of suspicion about the personal financial assistance he received to liquidate his bank loan that was raised to purchase property in Maharashtra.

"It is unfortunate that a simple difference of opinion among officers about service rules and freedom of individual choice regarding performance evaluation has evolved into accusations and mudslinging about my property.

"All details of purchase were given to the government in 2010 itself when the land was bought and the information was declared in my annual property statement four years ago. It is also available on the website of department of personnel, government of India for everyone to see. The additional information that was recently sought after a four-year span was furnished on June 12," said his statement.

The media here in the past few days have been having a free run on this issue and with the assembly in session, the Left opposition has lost no opportunity to rake up the matter.