Recent controversies involving top Kerala civil servants, including allegations of political favouritism, corruption, and inter-officer accusations, have sparked intense public debate, raising doubts about the integrity and efficiency of the state's administration
Published Nov 12, 2024 | 4:20 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 12, 2024 | 4:20 PM
Steel frame cracks: Kerala civil servants wrangle, invite disciplinary action
Sardar Patel, India’s first Union home minister, would describe the civil service as the nation’s “steel frame”.
In recent months, however, a series of controversies involving high-ranked civil servants in Kerala have stirred intense public debate, indicating that all is not so solid with the steel frame.
There have been allegations of political favouritism, and corruption against fellow officers. The functioning of the state administration has been brought under the lens.
As Kerala bureaucrats get roiled by scandal, the question is whether they can continue to function as they are meant to – impersonally, with quiet efficiency that does not draw attention to itself.
Does the mud-slinging in the higher ranks affect the morale of those just starting in their career?
Among the most controversial incidents is the case of MR Ajithkumar of the Indian Police Service, who faces allegations of meeting BJP/RSS leaders and colluding in disrupting the Thrissur Pooram, a prominent cultural event, for political reasons.
Sujith Das, also of the IPS, was in the spotlight after the leak of a phone conversation in which he appeared to discourage MLA PV Anvar from pursuing a complaint about the alleged illegal tree-felling in the office compound of the Malappuram Superintendent of Police.
The recent death by suicide of ADM Naveen Babu has drawn attention to the actions of Kannur District Collector Arun K Vijayan. It is alleged that Vijayan invited local body elected representative PP Divya to a private function where she berated Babu. That public humiliation is widely seen as the reason Babu chose to end his life.
Vijayan later denied that he had invited Divya to the event.
Industries Secretary K Gopalakrishnan of the Indian Administrative Service faces allegations of creating a WhatsApp group with only IAS officers of a particular religion, in gross violation of the secular nature of the Republic.
N Prasanth, special secretary in the state agriculture department, has made adverse remarks about his senior and fellow IAS officer A Jayathilak, calling him “mentally unsound”.
The Kerala civil service, long seen as a force of integrity and efficiency, now appears to be in the news for all the wrong reasons.
One young IAS officer, on condition of anonymity, told South First: “I choose the Kerala cadre as it is widely regarded as distinct from other state cadres. It is renowned for efficiency, professionalism, and commitment to social welfare. These controversies remind me that there are conflicting loyalties in the civil service, irrespective of cadre.”
Former bureaucrat and writer N S Madhavan’s mocking X post on the spat between IAS officers
Some other officers, though, stated that such issues are all par for the course: “Controversies and allegations are inherent in public administration, where decisions are scrutinised and open to interpretation,” an IAS officer explained.
“While distressing, these events don’t deter our commitment. These issues merely remind us of the delicate balance needed to maintain integrity in challenging circumstances,” the officer said.
One IPS officer said, “While the ideal role of a civil servant is to remain apolitical and impartial, the reality is complex.”
A junior IAS officer expressed her disgust with the ‘Hindu card’ played by some civil servants.
“I joined the civil service with the belief that those inducted into these services remain neutral, serving people across all backgrounds. It is disheartening to see a few officers play the ‘Hindu card’ to curry favour. Such tactics compromise the neutrality that is central to our role as public servants. It’s unsettling, especially in a cadre like Kerala, that prides itself on secularism and inclusivity,” she said.
Senior officers underlined the need for impartiality, for that alone would make for efficient governance in a diverse society. One senior officer said the recent incidents indicate that maintaining the required detachment has become difficult.
The concerns over political alignment, religious influences, and personal conflicts highlight the challenge of preserving the integrity and neutrality of the civil service. Senior bureaucrats, however, say those are values that are most needed at the current moment, when political polarisation has occurred on an unprecedented scale.
An IAS officer who retired as Kerala chief secretary told South First: “I believe these controversies won’t shatter morale among officers. However, it will dent the image of the civil service, and, regrettably, affect how the Kerala cadre is perceived at the national level.”
One of N Prasanth’s adverse comments against A Jayathilak
He explained that the Kerala cadre is reputed to be good at working without bias, whether of caste or religion.
“That’s not to say we are immune, but it is less prevalent here compared to other regions,” the former chief secretary said.
Asked what he thought would be a good course of action, the former chief secretary suggested decisive action to “restore public trust and uphold morale.”
“No one is above disciplinary action,” he said.
“Freedom of speech does not mean an officer can tear the very fabric that binds the service, under the guise of whistleblowing,” he said, adding that the political culture is bound to affect all aspects of society, including the civil service.
At the national level, when discussions foreground caste and religion, other matters might recede in importance, he said.
The chief minister is currently scrutinising files pertaining to the actions of IAS officers Gopalakrishnan and Prasanth. Among the tasks the state government now has on its list is disciplining the ranks of the civil servants, for better professionalism.
In the wake of the controversies, state government has initiated action against Gopalakrishnan and Prasanth.
According to Kerala IAS Officers’ Association , the officers concerned will be chargesheeted. It is only after that the officers concerned could explain their side.
It has to be seen whether this action will quell the ongoing issues, especially when Prasanth consider himself as a whistleblower and pledged to reveal more details on Jayathilak in the coming days.
(Edited by Rosamma Thomas)
