The state’s bureaucracy is an upset lot these days. The suspension of two upright and fine officers in the Adarsh case has further demoralised its officers who feel their political bosses are not standing by them.
The state’s bureaucracy is an upset lot these days. The suspension of two upright and fine officers in the Adarsh case has further demoralised its officers who feel their political bosses are not standing by them. Given this situation, administrative work has been affected ahead of the financial year end.
Jairaj Phatak, principal secretary and Pradeep Vyas, secretary were suspended soon after the latter was arrested by the CBI last week. Questions are now being raised within bureaucratic circles over the stand taken by the government. “Everybody was surprised over the suspension as according to the service rules ‘suspension is not punishment’ unless guilt is proved. With the enquiry commission about to submit its interim report, the decision was unnecessary. Secondly, the government could have taken firm stand even after the court strictures. Had the suspension been initiated when the scam surfaced one and a half year ago, there would not have been an objection,” said an IAS official.
“Every officer commits mistakes knowingly or unknowingly. Officers now are so scared that they are checking even routine files very thoroughly. We avoid taking any decision that invites any risk as a decision maker. I can cite a couple of recent examples where bureaucrats have set aside making decisions that needed to be taken before the year closing on March 31,” another official said.
The issue has been taken to the chief secretary Ratnakar Gaikwad, who also is ex-officio chief of the IAS officers association in the state. Seniors in the association are divided over the issue as some feel it may amount to contempt of court if the issue is raised at this juncture. Some wanted it to take up the issue with the chief minister.
The officer added that the suspension has sent wrong message to the rest. “It appears the government is bowing under pressure from judiciary. It has neither got the praise from the people for its actions nor has it succeeded in sending out a message of support in the bureaucracy,” he added.
An officer from the general administration department said that nearly four to five IAS officers have got offers from the private sector which they are seriously thinking through. Some of them have reportedly been offered the package that is nearly ten times the salary they are getting.
The bureaucracy that has been facing shortage of officers as nearly 20% posts are lying vacant, feels it is receiving step motherly treatment. An officer also pointed out that some officers get the postings only to the departments related to infrastructure and housing.
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