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Backlash over Punjab vigilance action as disquiet grips state bureaucracy
Discontent is brewing in the bureaucracy in Punjab, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers, over the cases registered and inquiries being conducted by the vigilance bureau, frequent transfers, and a feeling of creeping mistrust.
Discontent is brewing in the bureaucracy in Punjab, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers, over the cases registered and inquiries being conducted by the vigilance bureau, frequent transfers, and a feeling of creeping mistrust.
The unease in the state bureaucracy, which set in with the enforcement directorate (ED) raids on excise officers four months ago and inquiries by the vigilance bureau (VB) into several decisions taken during the previous government, turned into disquiet after the VB booked IAS officer and PSIEC’s former managing director Neelima along with a former cabinet minister and 10 other officials last week for allegedly allowing bifurcation of an industrial plot.
The IAS officers are upset over the registration of the FIR against the 2008-batch officer without taking the mandatory prior approval of enquiry under section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The Punjab IAS Officers Association met chief minister Bhagwant Mann at his office on Monday to seek immediate withdrawal of the vigilance case registered against Neelima and demand action against the vigilance officers, who did not follow the procedures. “VB has gone into overdrive. The officers will become wary of taking decisions or putting their signatures on files. What is worrying is that officers are being questioned over decisions taken in accordance with policy and norms,” said a senior bureaucrat on the condition of anonymity. Another IAS officer said they (vigilance) or other agencies were welcome to investigate corrupt practices, but should take all the mandatory approvals from the government as required under the law.
The PCS officers, on the other hand, have gone on mass casual leave for a week from Monday to protest against the arrest of fellow officer Narinder Singh Dhaliwal, posted as the regional transport authority (RTA) at Ludhiana, by the vigilance bureau on Friday for allegedly running an organised racket to collect money from transporters. Their association also objected to the officer’s arrest without prior sanction, calling the action “illegal. The Punjab Revenue Officers’ Association members also came out in their support, announcing to proceed on mass leave till January 13. Their protest affected the work in several government offices at the state headquarters and in districts.
Another reason for the disquiet in a section of the IAS fraternity is frequent transfers. “It takes time to settle down and deliver the results, but you are not sure nowadays how long you are going to stay in the department,” said another IAS officer, who did not want to be named. The vigilance action is a part of the anti-corruption drive of the Mann government. The state government sees its action against corruption as its biggest strength. The protests have given ammunition to the opposition to target the government, though. Leader of opposition Partap Singh Bajwa blamed the ‘discourteous’ way of the AAP’s functioning or its immaturity in governing the state for the situation, expressing concern over the growing tendency among the IAS officers to opt for central deputation. “As many as 10 IAS officers of Punjab cadre have decided to opt for central deputation in recent months,” he said.
VB chief director-cum-additional director general Varinder Kumar did not respond to calls.
Honest officers have nothing to fear: AAP
AAP’s state chief spokesperson Malvinder Singh Kang said that the AAP and its government have zero tolerance against corruption and have given a free hand to the investigating agencies. “No honest officer has anything to fear. The government will always support them. The bureaucracy is an important organ of the state,” he said. Kang also urged the officials not to resort to agitation. “They met the chief minister, and if they have any grievances, the government will address them,” he added.
