Cabinet dilly-dallying on Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University VC

Meanwhile, Mr Ashok moved the Ernakulam bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal saying that only the chancellor of the KVASU who is also the Kerala Governor was authorised to take action against him. But Justice N. K.Balakrishnan, judicial member of CAT, delivered a verdict on July 10 that the state government could take disciplinary action against the official.

Though Mr Ashok assumed office as VC of KVASU on January 3, 2011, the then chief secretary K. Jayakumar decided to recall him citing administrative reasons. Mr Ashok was kept away from office for close to 10 months. He then challenged it before the High Court and won the case and gave a complaint against Mr Jayakumar to the Governor. Mr Ashok distributed his complaint to the media which turned out to be a false statement and distorted facts pertaining to his predecessor. Citing gross violation of service rules, the Government had appointed Mr Abraham who was then the principal secretary of higher education department as the inquiry officer against Mr Ashok. Mr Abraham’s findings, a copy of which is with DC, states that “the officer (Mr B. Ashok) has violated discipline expected of an officer of the IAS”. I

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told DC that he was not aware of the latest verdict against Mr. Ashok, but would take up the issue before the cabinet.