IAS officers back Thomas

Association president and Additional Chief Secretary T Balakrishnan said Thomas was a person of impeccable integrity and that the association was concerned over the “smear campaign’’ against him.

The association found no reason to doubt his honesty and integrity of the Kerala cadre officer despite the fact that he was “unfortunately” linked to the Palmolein import scandal too.

The vigilance and anti-corruption wing had indeed cleared his name before he was appointed as the Telecom Secretary, Balakrishnan said.