In a blow to the Kerala government, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) overturned three transfer orders involving senior IAS officers, instructing the state to strictly follow the 2014 IAS cadre rules for postings and transfers. The CAT’s decision followed a petition by the IAS Officers’ Association challenging certain government decisions on transfers and appointments. Notably, the Tribunal invalidated the appointment of the current Excise Commissioner, M.R. Ajith Kumar, emphasizing that only an IAS officer can hold that position.
The Tribunal highlighted that the post of Excise Commissioner is designated for an IAS cadre officer, leading to the removal of Ajith Kumar from the role. Additionally, the Tribunal ruled that assigning non-cadre officers to IAS cadre positions is unlawful. It also emphasized that appointments to key positions like the Director of the Kerala Institute of Local Administration and the Institute of Management in Government must adhere to proper procedures.
The Tribunal’s directive also stressed the importance of ensuring civil servants a minimum tenure of two years in a post, cautioning against transfers without valid reasons. This ruling is anticipated to curb political influences in officer transfers and appointments, promoting administrative integrity. The judgment brings relief to many IAS officers in Kerala and is likely to trigger a significant bureaucratic reshuffle in the state.
