Acting on complaints lodged by BJP Lok Sabha member Aparajita Sarangi and Odisha BJP unit president Manmohan Samal against an Indian Administrative Officer (IAS) for alleged violation of All India Service Conduct Rules (AISCR), the Centre has asked the State’s Chief Secretary to take appropriate action against the bureaucrat.
In a letter to the Chief Secretary, the Centre’s Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) said, “The undersigned is directed to forward herewith a complaint dated 24.06.2023 along with a CD and pendrive from MP Aparajita Sarangi and Manmohan Samal against an IAS officer of Odisha for action as appropriate.”
Though the letter did not mention the name of the IAS officer, it was obviously issued following complaints lodged against Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s Private Secretary and 5T Secretary VK Pandian.
Reacting to the development, Aparajita said, “We had provided the DoPT evidence of violation of AISCR by the concerned officer. We hope the Chief Secretary of Odisha will take appropriate action against the errant officer soon.”
Manmohan Samal said, “We hope the Chief Secretary will take appropriate action. We will announce our next course of action after the CS’s move.”
On June 17, Aparajita had alleged that the entire governance system in the State has been hijacked by a bureaucrat. Without taking Pandian’s name, she questioned, “Whether the political executive is in command or it has been hijacked by a bureaucrat?”
According to her, the Secretary-level bureaucrat is doing whirlwind tours using the State plane, participating in public functions and receiving public receptions. He is also announcing projects worth crores of rupees while public representatives are watching like mute spectators.
Citing Rule 5 of the AISCR, Aparajita said no member of the All India Service shall be associated with any political party or any organisation which takes part in politics.
She also cited Rule 12 of AISCR which says, “No member of the Service shall make any complimentary or valedictory address or accept any testimonial or attend any meeting or entertainment held in his honour.”
Aparajita observed, “If the officer has political ambition, he should quit government job and join politics. Drawing a salary from the government and keen to get a rousing reception cannot go together.”