The UP IAS Association has become completely “headless”.
The association, which had been without a president since the past one year has now “lost” its secretary also. The association secretary Sanjay Bhoosreddy has left for central deputation and so has the treasurer, leaving the association completely orphaned.
“This is the first time in the history of the civil services that the association stands completely “headless”. The senior-most IAS officer in the state is Ms Promila Shankar and she should be asked to take over as the president and appoint a secretary with the consent of the executive members if we want to prevent the death of the institution itself,” said a principal secretary-rank officer.
However, not a single member of the UP IAS Association is willing to take the initiative on this issue.
“Who will bell the cat because everyone knows that our political bosses in Uttar Pradesh have systematically demolished the association and they will go out of their way to prevent it from coming alive again. Naturally, none of the IAS officers will take the risk till this government lasts,” said a secretary-rank officer who is also a member of the executive committee.
The UP IAS Association, interestingly, has not been able to hold its annual general meeting that is a part of the ceremonial IAS week since the past four years because chief minister Mayawati refused to give time for the time.
The annual IAS week is a time for all officers in this elite cadre to assemble and discuss issues concerning themselves and the government. The association then puts up the points of discussion before the chief minister who also addresses the association. Permission from the chief minister is needed to host the “IAS week” since officers from all districts are required to be present at the event.
“Ever since this government came to power, it has tried to break the unity of bureaucrats. First some officers close to the chief minister tried to divide the association and form a splinter group. When their attempts were thwarted, the office-bearers of the association were targeted and most of them have, expectedly, opted for Central deputations,” explains a senior bureaucrat.