Bulk message sent to govt employees in CM Vijayan’s name sparks row
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Thiruvananthapuram: A controversy has erupted in Kerala over an alleged bulk messaging campaign targeting state government employees, ahead of the Assembly elections. The message, reportedly sent in Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s name, drew attention as the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) aims for a rare third consecutive term.
R.S. Sasikumar, Chairman of the State United Confederation of Employees (SUCC), alleged that the message was circulated widely to personal WhatsApp accounts of government employees drawing salaries from the state. The communication reportedly highlighted increases in Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR), the reinstatement of housing construction advances, and assured employees that the government would continue to safeguard their welfare and rights.
Sasikumar described the incident as a serious breach of privacy, claiming that phone numbers submitted to official databases, including the Service and Payroll Administrative Repository for Kerala (SPARK), meant strictly for official purposes, were used without consent for outreach activities.
“This raises grave concerns about the safety and protection of personal data held by the government,” he said, adding that no authority, including the government, has the right to intrude into individual privacy without consent. He argued that the alleged misuse of official data violates safeguards guaranteed under data protection laws.
Sasikumar demanded legal action against officials in the Chief Minister’s Office if any unauthorised access or leakage of IT records occurred and called for immediate registration of a police case and a time-bound investigation.
The controversy comes at a politically sensitive time, with the Congress-led Opposition alleging that such outreach efforts aim to influence public opinion ahead of the polls. The latest row is expected to intensify political exchanges in the state as election preparations gain momentum.
With IANS inputs