Pension benefits granted in April to chief secretary retiring in June

Thiruvananthapuram: In an unusual haste, the previous LDF govt issued an order granting pension benefits to chief secretary A Jayathilak, who will be retiring on June 30, in April.Some senior officials pointed out that, in normal circumstances, orders sanctioning pension benefits for IAS officers are usually issued only in the final week before retirement. This deviation from convention raises suspicion over LDF govt's intentions, they said. Officials also noted that a similar order sanctioning pension benefits to additional chief secretary (health) Rajan Khobragade was issued the same day. He will also be retiring on June 30.Finance department issued an order on April 28 — nearly two months ahead of Jayathilak's retirement — clearing all his pensionary benefits. The order reportedly stated that there were no departmental disciplinary proceedings, vigilance investigations or criminal cases pending against him and the pension benefits could be released from July 1.A section of officials said that the early clearance was to safeguard Jayathilak's retirement benefits even if the new govt were to order an inquiry into the allegations raised against him. The accusations earlier by suspended officer N Prasanth and others against Jayathilak continue to remain a subject of discussion within administrative circles.Critics have questioned the timing of the order, noting that it was issued days ahead of the new govt's swearing-in. They argue that the move appears designed to provide a layer of administrative protection to the outgoing chief secretary before a change in regime.Meanwhile, another section within the bureaucracy defended LDF govt's move, arguing that the order was part of routine administrative procedure. It is now up to the incoming govt whether to review or alter the controversial order.