CAT raps AP Govt for suspension, probe on Jasti Krishna Kishore
By Newsmeter Network Published on 24 Dec 2019 4:12 PM GMT
Hyderabad: Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) made scathing remarks against Andhra Pradesh state government for the way it suspended and initiated ACB/CID probe on IRS officer and CEO of Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board, Mr Jasti Krishna Kishore. "This is not the way to run the administration. This sort of vindictive approach towards an officer who was brought on deputation is not correct. Do not be under the impression that because you have power, you can act like anything. Rules and regulations circumscribe this power. As a responsible person, I am stating that this is not the correct way to run an administration."
A Division Bench of CAT, comprising of chairman L. Narsimha Reddy and member B.V. Sudhakar, made these scathing remarks while hearing the application moved by Jasti Krishna Kishore challenging the action of the A.P. State Government suspending him and initiating ACB/CID probe contending that it is a malafide exercise of power. Mr. Krishna Kishore was taken on deputation from Central Government by the then TDP Government for the specific post of CEO of A.P. Economic Development Board. After the assumption of YSRCP government, Mr Kishore was abruptly transferred from CEO of the Board as Ex-Officio Secretary to Government. Simultaneously, an ACB/CID probe was initiated against him on a complaint by Tahasildar about irregularities.
The CAT in its order on Tuesday made it clear that this transfer of the applicant as Ex-Officio Secretary to Government seemed to be only to make him amenable to the disciplinary proceedings by the Government. The Bench was livid that salary to Mr Kishore was stopped for six months, and his request for repatriation to Central Government was not being accepted. The Bench directed the dues of salary to the applicant shall be cleared within a period of two weeks.
Stating that various questions such as compliance with the provisions of the law need to be further examined, the Bench posted the case for hearing to 31st January 2020.
