FILE photo: VS Achuthanandan
As an offshoot of the rift among a section of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers in Kerala, opposition Communist Party of India-Marxist CPI(M) leader V S Achuthananandan today raised allegations of suppression of assets by Chief Secretary EK Bharat Bhushan
in the assembly and demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation probe, but Chief Minister Oommen Chandy rejected the charge as baseless.
Making a submission, Mr Achuthanandan, quoting media reports, reiterated his charge made earlier that the Chief Secretary had forged his assets statement by not including his wife's
properties.
Intervening,Mr Chandy rejected as baseless the allegations against the Chief Secretary and said "it is not the policy of the government to let down an official who has not done anything wrong."
The government would not agree with any step that would demoralise an officer and had a duty to protect officials who do "right things", he said rejecting all the charges made by Mr Achuthanandan against Mr Bhushan.
Not satisfied with the reply of Mr Chandy, Mr Achuthanandan asked 'Are you ready to order a probe by CBI into the affairs?'
Bharat Bhushan himself had denied the allegations raised by Mr Achuthanandan, when the rift in the state civil service figured in the assembly last week.
The faction feud among IAS officers came to fore following a complaint given to the IAS Association by Printing and Stationary Secretary Raju Narayanaswamy, alleging that Mr Bhushan had made adverse remarks against him in his annual appraisal report with personal bias.
Mr Bhushan has said there was no basis for the charge that he 'harassed' and made adverse remarks in the appraisal report.
With the Left Democratic Front seizing on the issue to attack United Democratic Front, Mr Chandy had asked former cabinet secretary and Planning Board Vice-Chairman KB Chandrasekher to intervene and settle the matter.