Citing corruption and various political issues emerging in media reports recently, the Uttarakhand Subordinate Service Selection Commission (USSSC) chairman Raghu Bir Singh Rawat tendered his resignation from the post on Monday. Stressing that he has remained apolitical, he said that considering the political and other developments in Uttarakhand emerging during the past two months his conscience would not allow him to continue at the post. He now plans to work with like-minded people towards eradication of corruption and State welfare through a social front.
Rawat, who has also served as Uttarakhand’s principal chief conservator of forests apart from having held various important posts at he national and international levels, said that in more than three decades of his service, he had never experienced the disappointment which has been caused by recent political developments in Uttarakhand.
He said, “Since the past two months, considering media reports, it appears as if Uttarakhand is a hub of corruption where allegations and counter-allegations are being exchanged prominently in the public sphere. Pained by recent incidents that have come to light and the resulting uncertainty being experienced by the people of Uttarakhand, I chose to resign from the chairmanship of the commission. On Monday, I submitted my resignation in the Raj Bhawan, office of the chief secretary and principal secretary, personnel without any conditions.”
Regarding media reports pointing towards alleged anomalies in USSSC and the forest department Rawat said that since emergence of such reports, he had met the Governor Krishan Kant Paul and requested constitution of an inquiry in to the allegations on May 6.
“In case any forest department official is found guilty of corruption in the inquiry, I will personally assist in ensuring prison term for the official. During my tenure as chairman of the USSSC I have overseen conduction of three examinations while the fourth subordinate service examination is slated to be held on May 29,” he said.
Rawat further said, “I emphasise that I am apolitical and not supporting any party. I have now dedicated myself to Uttarakhand. I will undertake this task along with like-minded persons through a social campaign. Our State with 1,500 glaciers and unique environmental and spiritual wealth is now in a situation wherein the major issues are those pertaining to livelihood, migration of the people from rural mountainous areas and the human-wildlife conflict. We will plan a social awareness campaign and assist in facilitation of public benefit through various State and Central schemes.”
Replying to a query, he said that at no time during his service was he pressurised by the government of any political dispensation. It should be mentioned here that among the various posts held by Rawat in the past, he also oversaw the Rashtrapati Bhawan garden development under the then president ABJ Abdul Kalam.