Thiruvananthapuram,June 6:
The Kerala government has revoked the suspension of senior IAS officers Dr B. Ashok and N. Prasanth, ending disciplinary actions that had kept the two bureaucrats out of service for prolonged periods. Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan approved the order restoring both officers to service, marking a significant administrative decision by the new UDF government.
N. Prasanth had remained under suspension for nearly two years, while Dr B. Ashok had been out of service for around 18 months. The government reviewed the circumstances that led to the disciplinary proceedings and concluded that the action taken against the officers was unwarranted and no longer justified.
Government sources said the decision was influenced not only by the nature of the cases but also by the growing shortage of IAS officers in the state. With Kerala facing a limited pool of senior administrative personnel, the government felt it was impractical to keep two experienced officers away from public service for extended periods.
Prasanth was suspended after publicly criticising former Chief Secretary Dr A. Jayathilak through a series of social media posts, which triggered disciplinary proceedings under the previous administration. Dr B. Ashok, meanwhile, faced suspension after giving media interviews in which he criticised former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the functioning of the then Left government. Authorities at the time alleged that he had spoken to the media without official permission and made remarks that tarnished the image of the government.
The reinstatement of the two officers is being viewed as a significant policy shift by the UDF administration. It signals the government’s willingness to revisit contentious disciplinary actions initiated under the previous regime and to make better use of experienced civil servants amid staffing constraints.
While the suspension orders have been withdrawn, the government has not yet announced the new postings of either officer. Official sources indicated that fresh assignments are expected to be made shortly as part of a broader administrative reshuffle.
