Kerala Employees Facing ‘Frightening Situation’, Alleges Pinarayi Vijayan

Former Kerala Chief Minister and CPI(M) leader Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday alleged that government employees in the state were facing a “frightening situation” under the UDF government, accusing it of politically motivated transfers, harassment and intimidation of public servants.

In a Facebook post, Vijayan alleged that mass transfers were being carried out without following established norms and for political reasons, disrupting the functioning of the civil service. He claimed that employees who refused to comply with what he described as illegal activities were being threatened and targeted.

Vijayan cited the death of Ashalatha, a senior clerk at the Kasaragod Collectorate, describing it as shocking. He alleged that mental stress caused by a compulsory section transfer following the change of government had pushed her to take her own life.

He also referred to an incident involving senior paediatrician K V Radhamani at Kannur Government Medical College. Vijayan alleged that she suffered a heart attack after being publicly humiliated by NGO Association leaders for refusing to sign an allegedly illegal transfer order prepared for political purposes.

“The government should be ready to rein in such gangs operating under its protection,” Vijayan said, alleging that political interference had brought the civil service to a standstill. Responding to the Chief Minister’s criticism of the previous LDF government’s employee policies, Vijayan termed the claim “utterly absurd”. He said the LDF government had provided employee benefits despite financial constraints and initiated the 12th Pay Revision Commission process.

Vijayan further alleged that the UDF government was withholding dearness allowance arrears, earned leave surrender benefits and assured pension, describing these measures as anti-employee policies.

He also claimed that around 2,800 temporary digital survey workers were dismissed without receiving eligible salary arrears. Alleging that employees across government institutions were being targeted, Vijayan called for strong protests against the UDF government, accusing it of humiliating and threatening public servants who opposed politically motivated actions or raised their voices for their rights.