Kerala: Governor seeks report on govt staff in LDF protest

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Governor Arif Mohammed Khan has directed state chief secretary to submit a report on what action has been taken against the government employees who participated in the Raj Bhavan march organised by LDF on November 15.
BJP state president K Surendran had earlier approached the high court and petitioned chief secretary against government employees participating in the Raj Bhavan march against the Governor. Subsequently, BJP leaders had called on Khan and handed over to him the photographs and video footage establishing the participation of at least seven secretariat employees participating in the march.
The governor has now forwarded to the chief secretary the representation and documents submitted by the BJP leaders and sought an action taken report, Raj Bhavan sources said. It is alleged that the employees not only violated the service rules but also participated in the protest while on duty.
Ordinance 'infructuous'
Meanwhile, Khan told reporters in New Delhi that the ordinance aimed at his removal as the chancellor of universities has become 'infructuous' as the Assembly is about to be in session. Raj Bhavan sources said the file on the ordinance was returned to the government not because the governor formally rejected the same, but only because the file is required by the government to go ahead with its plans to bring in the university amendment bill.
A visibly piqued Khan also justified the requests placed by Raj Bhavan to the government seeking additional vehicles to be used for the travel of his guests. Khan said he would give enough time to the government for rectifying the mistakes, as far as university appointments are concerned, but would be forced to take some drastic steps if the government refuses to uphold the rule of law.