With the trend of the State Government officers not heeding to the orders of the State Cabinet Ministers continuing, a fresh case has come to light as two additional commissioners of the excise department are sitting tight in their previous positions despite the State Government having issued order for their transfers. Excise department sources said that the State Government has released a Government order (GO) in which the additional commissioners- A R Semwal and Prakash Singh Gabriyal- have been appointed as additional commissioners of Kumaon and Garhwal divisions respectively. While Semwal is biding time citing medical reasons Gabriyal continues to stay put in his old post of the commissioner, directorate.
Sources further say that these two officers have been directed to monitor works related to overpricing and smuggling of liquor aside from depositing revenue in Government exchequer among others. Such works are being adversely affected with the duo taking time to join their new postings, adds sources.
While Gabriyal was unavailable for comment Semwal said that he was on leave on medical grounds. “I have heard about my appointment as the additional commissioner Kumaon division for monitoring excise- related works. I am, however, yet to read the Govt order,” Semwal said over phone.
Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee chief Pritam Singh has repeatedly said that the State Government’s control over the babudom has ceased, crippling the admin work. The spokesperson of the state Government Madan Kaushik who is also a senior Cabinet Minister said when contacted over phone that he would comment on it later as he was busy in an important meeting.