Ministers of the Kerala cabinet lashed out at the state’s IAS and IPS officers on Wednesday for not obeying government orders. The tirade was mainly against DGP Jacob Thomas as he openly criticized the state government in the media.
The cabinet has also directed chief secretary Jiji Thomson to check whether Thomas has breached the code of conduct of IPS officers and seek an explanation.
Jacob Thomas had told media on Tuesday that there are 77 multi-storied buildings in the state that defied all safety rules and he was not able to take any action as he was transferred by that time. He also hinted that a meeting was held between the Chief Minister, builders and the Home Secretary.
According to a Manoramaonline report, the minsters alleged that the DGP had disgraced the whole government system and he did not give approval even to the buildings which had cleared all legal formalities.
Ministers also criticized some other IAS officers for not obeying the government. "There are some in the service drawing heavy salary but are not fit for even in low-ranking posts. File movement is impractical with these people. Whoever is at the helm, these officers are distressing. Normally they expose their true colours as the assembly polls approach. But this time they have advanced. For whom, is quite ambiguous," the ministers pointed out as per the Manorama report.
Electricity and Transport Minister Aryadan Muhammed, Urban affairs Minister Manjalamkuzhi Ali and Excise Minister K Babu were the prominent cabinet members who criticised the IAS officers.