CAT orders AP govt to pay salary to Jasti Krishna Kishore

Hyderabad: Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has issued orders to AP government to pay pending salary to IRS official Jasti Krishna Kishore while extending a stay on suspension.

The former CEO of Economic Development Board (EDB) had moved CAT challenging the suspension order against him. CAT Chairman Justice L Narasimha Reddy and member BV Sudhakar questioned the government over its decision against the IRS official.

The Tribunal extended its interim orders staying the suspension order of GO issued by the government and ordered it to pay the six months pending salary within two weeks.

CAT Chairman questioned the government on how it could demote him when it could not take action when he was in the position of CEO.

The government had accused Krishna Kishore of misappropriation of funds. CAT further wanted to know on what would happen if an MRO complains against the Chief Secretary. How did a deputy collector level official complaint against a special secretary cadre officer? Such incidents send wrong signals to the public and government mechanism as well, commented Justice Reddy.

Upon request from the AP government, Krishna Kishore is on deputation from the I-T Department.

"What wrong was done by Krishna Kishore? Was it really so big that forced the government to initiate an investigation by ACB and CID," questioned Justice Reddy.

During the hearing, Justice Reddy further asked the AP government whether it had informed the Income-Tax (I-T) Department before taking action against Krishna Kishore. The entire episode seems to be a vindictive act of the government, Justice Reddy commented.

The CAT asked the Union Government to file counter and adjourned the case to January 31.