Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala government’s appointment of an IAS officer as secretary-in-charge of ‘matters concerning external cooperation’ has called for widespread criticism with the BJP calling it as a ‘blatant over-reach and a violation of the constitution.
As per a government order dated July 15th, it stated that the secretary (Labour and Skills), K Vasuki ‘will hold the additional charge of matters concerned with external cooperation’. Former bureaucrats and experts believe that with the state has no business in the foreign matters, the move could be seriously viewed as an encroachment into the subjects in the union list of the constitution.
“Designating a secretary-in-charge of external cooperation is not legally possible under the rules of business of the state. The government has got it wrong while assigning the duty to a secretary which does not fall under its ambit”, said a former bureaucrat under conditions of anonymity.
The controversial order that the BJP has now taken up to attack the state government said, “The officer will coordinate and supervise all the matters in this regard and incidental thereto, in addition to the existing charges. The order stated that the General administration (political) will deal with subjects related to external and will assist Vasuki till external arrangements are made.
Reacting to the Kerala government appointing a ‘foreign secretary’ for the state, the BJP on Saturday criticised chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan over what the opposition party said was a ‘blatant overreach and violation of the Constitution.’
“The appointment of an IAS officer as ‘Foreign Secretary’ in Kerala by CM Pinarayi Vijayan is a blatant overreach and a violation of the Union List of our Constitution. The LDF government has no mandate in foreign affairs,” K Surendran, BJP’s Kerala unit chief, posted on X.
“Is Pinarayi Vijayan trying to establish Keralam as a seperate nation”?, asked K Surendran.
Meanwhile, none of the LDF leaders have commented on the matter till now.
K Vasuki ‘will hold the additional charge of matters concerned with external cooperation’. Former bureaucrats and experts believe that with the state has no business in the foreign matters, the move could be seriously viewed as an encroachment into the subjects in the union list of the constitution. Kerala States News India: Top News India, States News, States News Headlines, Online State News India, State Politics news
