Agartala, Oct. 18: Lure of lucrative corporate jobs and political interference in the administration has triggered an exodus of IAS officers from Tripura.

The issue has come to the fore with state chief secretary R.K. Mathur applying for long leave, sparking speculation about his possible successor as Mathur is reportedly determined never to return to Tripura.

Mathur has cited his protracted sickness and “severe back pain” for going on leave, but sources close to him said he was upset over growing differences of opinion with Left Front ministers.

“On a number of issues the ministers peremptorily negated his proposals and put adverse comments on record,” a source said.

In another incident, minister for social education Bijaylaxmi Sinha summoned the chief secretary in her chamber in the presence of the departmental director, which upset Mathur. “According to protocol, only the chief minister can call the chief secretary but here even very junior ministers call him to their chambers,” sources said.

Describing the problem as “symptomatic of a larger malaise,” the source said though the sanctioned strength of IAS officers in the state is 25, at present there are only 10 IAS officers. The administration is practically being run by state cadre officers.

“Of the 10 IAS officers in the administration, chief electoral officer G.S.G. Ayengar, IT commissioner Lok Ranjan and special secretary to the chief minister, Pravin Srivastava, are on leave,” he said.

Apart from the growing frustration with political interference, many officers have joined corporate services.

“In the last three years, nine IAS officers have left their jobs and joined multinational corporation, while at least five more are planning to quit as soon as they are eligible for voluntary retirement,” sources confirmed.