THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The first-ever strike announced by IAS officers turned out to be a dampener as Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday took a tough stand against the move. The CM expressed his strong displeasure at the officers’ move and reaffirmed his support to Vigilance Director Jacob Thomas.
The one-day casual leave protest was announced in protest against the VACB’s decision to implicate Additional Chief Secretary Paul Antony as third accused in an appointment scam.
Pinarayi informed the IAS Association office-bearers, who met him on Monday, that the investigation would proceed and government would not interfere.
Later, the CM told reporters that the strike was viewed seriously by the government. “The probe will be free and impartial. It is only natural to react emotionally when there is an investigation,” he said. “Even in the past, such investigations have led to the suspension of top bureaucrats,” Pinarayi said.
On the corruption charges against Jacob Thomas, Pinarayi raised doubt whether the Finance Inspection Wing breached its powers in fixing the terms of reference of inquiry against Jacob Thomas.
“It is not our grievance but the method of expressing it seems to have irked the CM. He even criticised Finance Secretary K M Abraham for hosting a meeting of the association at his office to plan the protest,” said a senior officer privy to the meeting.
Meanwhile, IAS officers were a dissatisfied lot after Pinarayi showed unflinching faith in the Vigilance Director, who according to them, was falsely implicating officers for personal vendetta and media publicity.
“The Chief Minister is in a Catch 22 situation. He knows all is not well with the Vigilance but is afraid to control Thomas fearing public criticism,” said a senior IAS officer.
Though the strike had to be called off, the IAS Association felt it succeeded in inviting public attention to the issue. “Future plans will be discussed in the meeting later this week,” he said.