Caught in the crossfire between the Centre and the Arvind Kejriwal Government over a host of contentious issues concerning the national Capital, the IAS Association of Arunachal Goa Mizoram and Union Territories (AGMUT) cadre held another meeting on Thursday and has sought audience with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung and Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi to sort out the matter on what officers should do to run the administration.
“They are targeted by the AAP Government, if they quote rules and listen to the lieutenant-Governor and vice-versa,” said a senior member of the association.
Panicky over the CBI raid on Kejriwal’s trusted lieutenant and one of the most powerful bureaucrats of the AAP regime, Rajendra Kumar, the Association is in double minds on whether to follow the instructions of its cadre controlling authority, which is the Union Home Ministry, or that of the AAP Government.
A senior bureaucrat said many officers were demoralised over the stand-off between the Centre and the State over a host of pressing issues. He said in the present situation, officers were not taking any decisions and as a result files were being tossed from one department to the other.
The bureaucrat said the officers were bound to follow the Transaction of Business Rules. “But we are being forced by the Ministers to issue orders in violation of the rules.” The association also condemned the CBI action against Kumar.
The association members are not happy with the Chief Secretary KK Sharma who is also the IAS association president for failing to protect them.
“During his tenure as Chief Secretary, Sharma has lowered the value and importance of the post. This Government has curtailed most of the powers of the Chief Secretary but he did nothing. All these things are happening despite that fact the matter is pending in the High Court,” said a member of the association.
“Several disciplinary actions were taken against senior IAS officers without any reasons but no one came forward to defend. Whether it is the case of Dharampal against whom major disciplinary proceedings have been started or it is Chetan Sanghi against whom Anti Corruption Branch (ACB) has registered cases against him. Strangely Even Chief Secretary KK Sharma was served show-cause notice by the CM for sending some files to the lG,” said another member, adding that the Government should approach the court to decide the matter immediately as more than six months have been passed.
According to the IAS association, some order was passed by the court that lieutenant-Governor should be informed prior registering FIR but this has not happened in the case of Kumar.
“We do not want to play in the hands of politicians. Our job is to assist the Government in framing and following rules which are in accordance with the law of the land.”
The source said the association will in clear terms talk to all the concerned persons so that things are crystal clear. “Once we get an assurance from all the persons concerned, then only we will start deliberating on new policies. But we need a guarantee that we are not made scapegoat by the political parties to meet their own ends.”
The association also expressed concern over the manner the CM had announced suspension of District Magistrate and two SDMs a few days ago pertaining to demolition controversy at Shakur Basti where a six-month-baby died during shifting.