Amid rift among a section of the top bureaucracy in Kerala, a senior IAS officer today took exception to "selective leaking" of confidential details regarding his properties.
In a clarification issued prefacing that he was forced to issue such a statement, Labour Secretary Tom Jose resented the "selective leaking" to media of confidential information relating to his property statement.
He said this was done to "create a veil of suspicion" about the personal financial assistance he received from two individuals to liquidate his bank loan that was raised to purchase a property in Maharashtra.
"I have known the two individuals who helped me for more than quarter of a century. One is my father-in-law P J Davis whose name was disclosed without mentioning our family relationship."
"The second was that of Dr A Jose, our best friend, whose family we have known for generations. Neither of these individuals have had any official relationship with me. They have also signed sworn, notarised affidavits showing the details of assistance given to me," he said.
"It is unfortunate that a simple difference of opinion among officers about service rules and freedom of individual choice regarding performance evaluation has evolved into accusations and mudslinging about my property," Jose said.
He said all details of purchase were given to the government in 2010 when the land was bought and the information was declared in his annual property statement.
The alleged rift in the civil service figured in the state Assembly last week following a complaint given to the IAS Association by Printing and Stationary secretary Raju Narayanaswamy, alleging that Chief Secretary E K Bharat Bhushan had made adverse remarks against him in annual appraisal report with personal bias.
Bhushan has said there was no basis for the charge that he 'harassed' and made adverse remarks in the appraisal report.
With the Opposition LDF seizing on the issue to attack UDF, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy asked former cabinet secretary and Planning Board vice chairman K B Chandrasekher asked to intervene to settle the matter.
