For the first time in the state, a disciplinary hearing against an IAS officer will be audio-visually recorded and streamed, marking a significant step towards transparency in bureaucratic proceedings.
State govt agreed to this unprecedented move following a request by IAS officer N Prasanth, currently under suspension, who will face a personal hearing on April 16 in connection with disciplinary proceedings against him.
What sets this case apart is not just the recording and streaming of the proceedings, but the fact that the hearing will be conducted by the chief secretary herself. It's an unusual departure from the norm, where a govt-appointed designated officer presides over such matters. Chief secretary's direct involvement signals the gravity and sensitivity of the case.
What's the case?
Prasanth, a 2007-batch IAS officer, was suspended in November last year while serving as Special Secretary in the Agriculture Department. He had submitted a letter demanding further clarifications in response to a show-cause notice issued by the Chief Secretary. The suspension was based on allegations that he defamed Additional Chief Secretary Jayathilak and former Director of the Industries Department K. Gopalakrishnan through Facebook posts. Initially suspended for two months, the period was extended by another four months in January.
Prasanth had alleged that the government was treating him unfairly and claimed that action was taken without even a preliminary inquiry or an opportunity to be heard. The situation became controversial when Prasanth, in response to a charge memo for disciplinary violations issued by the Chief Secretary, demanded further clarifications. He insisted that he would respond to the charge memo only after receiving answers to seven specific queries he had raised.
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