Babus use political pressure for posting, says HP govt; warns action

Sukhu govt has warned action against bureaucrats exerting political pressure for lucrative postings

NEW DELHI | Updated: 19 May, 2023 3:59 pm IST
Himachal CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu

NEW DELHI: In a stern move, the government of chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has issued a warning to senior officers in Himachal Pradesh, cautioning them against exerting political pressure to secure favorable job postings. The government has vowed to take strict action against any officer found guilty of such misconduct.

In a letter, Himachal Pradesh chief secretary Prabodh Saxena also said that the Congress government has taken a “strict view” of officers of the Indian Administrative Services (IAS), the HP Administrative Service, and the HP Secretariat Service going on medical leave immediately after being transferred to a location or post they don’t link.

Saxena emphasized that transfers and postings of officers are carried out in the best interest of the public on a regular basis. “However, the department has observed instances where certain officers have sought to influence their transfers and postings through political means,” his letter reads.

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He noted that some officers, after receiving their transfer orders, proceed on “medical leave just to gain time for their adjustments on suitable stations”

Such actions have raised serious concerns as they disrupt the functioning of the relevant departments, organizations, and posts, ultimately affecting the larger public interest, he said.

“As members of premier services, it is expected that officers refrain from utilizing political influence or pressure to manipulate their transfers and postings. The government views this behavior as a clear violation of conduct rules and unbecoming of a government servant.”

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The chief secretary advised the officers to promptly join their designated positions as per government orders and refrain from using tactics. Failure to comply with these instructions will result in disciplinary action, he warned.

The government’s warning follows chief minister Sukhu’s promise of delivering a corruption-free and public welfare oriented government in the hill state.

The warning serves as a reminder of the government’s commitment to a fair and transparent administrative system, free from undue political interference – which has since long been used as a tool to secure lucrative posts and undue benefits.

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