A major controversy has erupted at the Kerala Secretariat involving Chief Secretary A Jayathilakan, with a complaint filed alleging that the previous LDF government approved his pension benefits well before his retirement date. The complaint, submitted by Kulathoor Jamsin, a High Court advocate and public activist, has put the new UDF government led by Chief Minister VD Satheesan in a tight spot.

Typically, pension benefits are sanctioned either on the day of retirement or the day after. However, in Jayathilakan’s case, the pension order was issued well before his scheduled retirement. The complaint seeks to cancel this order, calling it a violation of established norms and a move that undermines the current administrative setup.

The controversy highlights the deep factionalism within the IAS cadre in Kerala. A significant group of bureaucrats have accused Jayathilakan of abusing his power during the previous government’s tenure, allegedly sidelining and targeting them. They are now pressuring CM Satheesan and Vigilance Minister Ramesh Chennithala to take strict action.

With Jayathilakan set to retire in just days, the new government faces a dilemma. Taking harsh disciplinary action could create administrative and legal complexities, while dismissing the complaint could send the wrong signal to Congress supporters within the bureaucracy. The CM is expected to refer the matter for a thorough legal review before deciding on further action.