Raigad Collector in trouble

Seema Vyas becomes the first IAS officer to be showcaused by state for neglecting duty

The government has issued showcause notice to a 1992 batch IAS officer of the state cadre for neglecting duty during an emergency-like situation. Collector Seema Vyas was not in the district when heavy rains lashed the state on June 29 and 30.She was allegedly away on personal work. The showcause notice was issued by the Konkan Division last week — the first instance of government taking action against an IAS officer for showing negligence to duty. 

Fourteen people died in Raigad because of the rains. A landslide at Mahad on June 29 did most of the damage. More than 2000 people had to be shifted to safer places. Vyas was not in the district on June 29. Next day too she was away from duty.

Valsa Nair Singh, Divisional Commissioner, Konkan Region, told DNA, “It is an internal issue. I can not elaborate it to the media”. However, she didn’t deny that the showcause notice had been served, “No Comment, please,” was all she said.

Despite repeated attempts, Vyas was not available for comment. A source at her office told DNA that she was busy in a meeting with tahsildars.

The source added that the Collector had gone to Mumbai on June 29 for a court matter. There was also a Revenue Department meeting, which was later cancelled. Immediately after her return, she visited every flood-affected areas of the district.

A senior IAS officer said on condition of anonymity that it was serious offence on part of an IAS officer to be away from duty during a natural calamity. “Showcause notice is a warning that henceforth this type of negligence should not be repeated. Seema Vyas explained why she was not there,” he said.

However, he pointed out that Vyas was not the only culprit. “MMRDA Commissioner T Chandrashekhar was not in Mumbai when heavy rains submerged the city. So, why only junior IAS officers are being made scapegoat? The rule should be the same for all,” he said.