‘Officer not given a chance to explain’
As controversy raged over the Uttar Pradesh government’s move to suspend Uttar Pradesh IAS officer Durga Sakthi Nagpal, who had taken on sand mafia in Gautam Budh Nagar, home minister Sushilkumar Shinde said government officers must work under the ambit of the law and within the given charge even as he pitched for “freedom of the bureaucracy’’.
Meanwhile, minister of state for personnel V. Narayanasamy, who met a delegation of All-India IAS officers association on Thursday, assured justice will be done in the case as the department of personnel and training (DoPT), which is the cadre controlling authority for IAS officers, will act once it gets a report from the state government. When asked for his comments on whether the political class allows enough freedom to the bureaucracy to act, Mr Shinde, while addressing a press conference, said, “Certainly, I say that the bureaucracy must have freedom. But the bureaucracy must work under the ambit of the law, within the given charge they should work. I believe that.” He said the suspended SDM’s case is a matter “concerning the state’’.
He also recounted that there has been a very good coordination between the bureaucracy and politicians during his about four-decade experience in governance. “I have spent about 40 years in government and I found there is a very good coordination between the bureaucracy and the government,” the home minister said.
However, amid growing demands for her reinstatement, Mr Narayanasamy on Thursday met a delegation of All-India IAS officers Association. “The officer has been suspended without giving an opportunity,” Mr Narayanswamy said. “We wanted a report from Uttar Pradesh government about suspension of the officer Durga Nagpal. We are awaiting reply from the state government on that. Unless I get a report, we won’t react to any kind of emotion or some kind of media report. We will wait for the reply from the state government,” the minister said.
Assuring justice will be done in Durga’s case, Mr Narayanswamy said, “I have received a representation from IAS association and from our side we will ensure that rules are followed,” he said.
Post new comment