Thiruvananthapuram: Govt on Friday issued an order giving the charge of excise commissioner —after removing IPS officer M R Ajith Kumar from the post— to additional excise commissioner (administration) until a regular appointment is made. The move after central administrative tribunal’s (CAT) delivered its final order on March 6 in cases examining how the state was making postings to senior administrative positions and whether IAS cadre rules were being bypassed.CAT’s order dealt extensively with cadre posts and posting of non-IAS officers to positions linked to IAS cadre strength. The applicants argued that several such posts were being filled by non-IAS officers without following statutory procedure or obtaining recommendations from civil services board.In its ruling, CAT reiterated that transfers and postings of IAS officers must follow safeguards under the IAS (Cadre) rules and amendments introduced after Supreme Court’s judgment in T S R Subramanian case to ensure transparency and tenure protection. The order noted that “all appointments and transfers of cadre officers shall be on the recommendations of civil services board”, a requirement intended to prevent arbitrary administrative decisions.Regarding excise commissioner post, govt argued that Abkari Act allows appointment of an “abkari officer” and the department’s work involved prevention, detection and investigation of offences, making IPS officers suitable for the role. The state relied on this reasoning to justify appointing non-IAS officers to the post. However, CAT didn’t accept govt’s arguments.The latest move appears to stretch the same logic further. Instead of appointing a full-time commissioner following CAT’s ruling, govt temporarily handed the charge to additional excise commissioner (administration), a police officer outside IAS cadre.Technically, the order doesn’t violate CAT’s ruling, as it doesn’t make a permanent appointment but merely assigns additional charge until a regular posting is made. Critics, however, say the decision raises questions about whether the intent of CAT’s order—to ensure transparent and rule-based appointments—was respected.Posts reshuffledIn another order issued on Friday, govt transferred B Ashok IAS, who was serving as agricultural production commissioner and principal secretary (Agriculture), and posted him as principal secretary, Sainik Welfare Department, a comparatively less prominent assignment.Ashok was among applicants who approached CAT challenging govt’s handling of cadre postings. He was transferred multiple times earlier, but those decisions were cancelled following favourable tribunal orders.The reshuffle order appoints Tinku Biswal as agricultural production commissioner and principal secretary (agriculture) despite her being on leave. Until she rejoins duty, additional chief secretary Biswanath Sinha will hold the charge.
