The Hindu : Front Page : Chief Secretary rebuts charges raised by officials

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Saturday, Jan 07, 2006

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Chief Secretary rebuts charges raised by officials

Special Correspondent

He meets Chief Minister Oommen Chandy to clarify matters

M. Vijayanunni says IAS officers should maintain integrity and discipline

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Secretary M. Vijayanunni has rebutted complaints raised against him by subordinate officials.

The issue came up for mention at the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday with the Ministers criticising the Chief Secretary. Subsequently, the Chief Secretary met the Chief Minister to clarify matters.

Friction developed between the Chief Secretary and a few IAS officers following certain measures taken by the former. One of these was over his decision to take away the subject of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) from Principal Secretary (General Administration) Bharat Bhushan. Mr. Bhushan complained that he was not shown the courtesy of being informed before the Chief Secretary issued the order. He took up the matter with the Chief Minister.

Mr. Bhushan's predecessor was given charge of dealing with matters connected with the IAS when Palat Mohandas was the Chief Secretary. Dr. Vijayanunni, who assumed office last month, is of view that the subject should be handled by the Chief Secretary himself and not by a comparatively junior officer. There was no need for seeking the consent of Secretaries when duties were reassigned.

Another issue was that the Chief Secretary was delaying the IPS promotion list. Dr. Vijayanunni clarified that the list had been sent to the Centre days ago.

The Chief Secretary had recently inspected the work on improvement of the road between West Fort and Eenchakkal and suggested some design changes. Public Works Minister M. K. Muneer expressed displeasure over the matter apparently after the engineers concerned took up the matter with him. The site engineers were of the view that the design could not be changed frequently.

According to the Chief Secretary, the construction of wide footpaths had reduced parking space and obstructed entrances to houses. Though the engineers suggested that parking could be done on the footpath, that was illegal. Hence he had suggested certain changes.

Asked about the politicisation of civil services, which was affecting the functioning of the Secretariat, the Chief Secretary said higher norms and values were disappearing from the service. IAS officers should maintain integrity and discipline and follow proper norms and ethics. Superiors should be informed of matters that they needed to know.

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