Dilli Ka Babu
Collective shivers
For many years corrupt babus have taken advantage of cumbersome rules and continued to enjoy their position even when there is overwhelming evidence of corruption against them. But that may well become a thing of the past.
According to sources, the department of personnel and training (DoPT) has prepared a set of proposals to minimise the time lapse between wrongdoings and punishment. DoPT minister of state V.N. Narayanswamy has asked officials to study the legal provisions and, if required, seek an amendment to the constitutional safeguards to civil servants provided in Article 311.
This comes close on the heels of attempts to confiscate assets of corrupt babus — a move that has sent shivers down the collective babu spines.
***
Back in favour?
The shadow of the 2002 Godhra riots still hovers over Gujarat’s administrative set up, as seen in the recent crackdown on two senior IPS officers, Sanjiv Bhatt and Rahul Sharma, by the government. Some other IPS officers, including Satish Verma, Vivek Srivastava and Himanshu Bhatt, too have had to face the music for sticking to the rulebook.
So it came as a surprise to many when the government appointed M.D. Antani, a 1990 batch IPS officer, as the new home secretary. Mr Antani, sources say, had fallen out of favour with the political establishment during the riots.
Since then the top cop has spent most of his career on deputation to the Centre. His new assignment, therefore, has come as a surprise not just to his colleagues in the state, but, perhaps, to the top cop himself.
***
Pre-poll warfare
Congress leader and former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh has accused two senior officials in the state of violating service rules and working openly with the Akali Dal government. Mr Singh has complained to the Election Commission seeking action against the two officials.
According to Mr Singh, director-general of police P.S. Gill and principal secretary to the chief minister, D.S. Guru, are practically canvassing for the Akalis and are aiming to contest in the elections due next January. But with the election dates yet to be announced, the model code of conduct doesn’t yet come into force. For now, there is little Mr Singh can do to rein in the “truant” officials except make noises. No doubt, we’ll hear more on this in the weeks ahead.
Post new comment