Maya of chair
Determined to continue to bask in the reflected glory of the post he has been holding for some years, a seasoned lawyer is singularly reluctant to relinquish the post. This is, however, an imperative for him to quit following regime change as per the long-continuing convention. What happens is that the legal functionaries, appointed by a State Government, are morally bound to resign after the regime changes. Given this convention, the advocate general, who is also a political appointee, quits just after the old Government yields place to the new. However, the lawyer in question is using every trick in the book to cling to the chair, post regime change. It is learnt that he is haggling with a highly placed babu to spare himself the axe. However, it is highly unlikely that he would be allowed to continue with a score of lawyers, loyal to the present regime, eagerly waiting in the wings to step in once he is out.
Yearning for seniority
Post the regime change, with the State Government having appointed a score of officers on special duty (OSDs) to the Chief Minister’s office (CMO), a queer scene has set in. Not satisfied with the mere appointments, the new OSDs are craving for seniority on the line such hierarchical grades exist among the IAS cadre. They are insisting that unless the State Government endows them with the grade of seniority they would be soon wrangling among themselves to gain precedence over one another. However, they lack the spunk to broach the matter straight to the CM with the latter having blessed them with the special appointments. They are now engaged in discussing over what should be the yardstick of determining seniority. Some opine that those appointed earlier should be given the coveted tag of seniority vis-a-vis those who are appointed later.
‘Ribbon-less’ necks
With the secretary administration (SAD) having finally made mandatory for all the Secretariat employees to sport identity cards stung with ribbons around their necks, a few of them are being found attending duties sans the ribbon- attached I- cards. Noteworthy, the colour of the ribbons vary from employee to employee, given the grades they are holding — white for the Additional Secretary and above, navy blue for Under Secretary and above, saffron for Section Officer and its equals, violet for Class IV employees etc. But a few of them proving adamant not to don the ribbon-stung cards, the objective behind the move would stand defeated in due course. Surprisingly, they attended a meeting chaired by the Chief Minister himself recently, sans the cards. Mention worthy, such a move was made a few years ago. But it proved a fiasco. The same prospect is staring this move in the face too unless the administration shows iron determination to carry on with it, making all to fall in line.