IPS officer MR Ajithkumar appointed BEVCO CMD after CAT order on IAS cadre posts

Senior IPS officer MR Ajithkumar, who was recently removed from the post of Excise Commissioner following a ruling by the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), has been appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of the Kerala State Beverages Corporation (BEVCO).

Ajithkumar’s removal came after the CAT ruled that the post of Excise Commissioner is an IAS cadre position and must be held only by an officer from the Indian Administrative Service.

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Meanwhile, Harshita Attaluri, who had been serving as the Managing Director of BEVCO, has been appointed as the Inspector General (Traffic).

Earlier, on March 6, the Kochi Bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal quashed three transfer orders issued by the Kerala government that had appointed non-IAS officers to IAS cadre posts. The Tribunal observed that such appointments are illegal and violate established cadre rules.

While setting aside the transfer orders, the CAT stated that only IAS officers should be appointed to IAS cadre posts and directed the state government to strictly adhere to the 2014 Cadre Rules governing such appointments.

The Tribunal also ruled that the approval of the Civil Services Board is mandatory for the transfer of IAS officers.

In its order, the CAT specifically noted that the position of Excise Commissioner is an IAS cadre post and must be held exclusively by an IAS officer. The ruling came as a setback for Ajithkumar, who had been serving in the post despite being an IPS officer.

The directive was issued following a petition filed by the Kerala IAS Association.