Out in the open
A scam is out in the open. The name of an officer has figured in it. The agency, probing the case, has dug up a nexus between the bureaucrat and a contractor whose firm does most of the work of the state government. Besides, the agency has blown the lid off how the contractor helped the officer, and, in lieu of that, how the bureaucrat, violating all norms, obliged his friend.
Another complaint about the Sahib is: he yells at the employees to get any work done. The employees of the department have complained to higher authorities about his behaviour, but no action was taken against the officer concerned. There are murmurs in the corridors of power, that some officials have already swung into action to free him from the scam.
Worried lot
A retired IAS officer and his present counterpart in the state are worried after the arrest of a criminal. The man arrested for committing heinous crime has links with them. He visited Mantralaya due to his connection with these officers. The retired officer had obliged him many a time. The organisation run by the criminal got many contracts through the department the officer was heading. The other officer who is on deputation in Delhi obliged the criminal, during his tenure as head of a department, in the state.
During the grilling of the criminal, the names of these two officers have come up. Nothing may happen to the retired officer. But if the name of the present bureaucrat figures in any of the cases linked with the criminal, he may get it in the neck. The officer boasts about his honesty. His name linked with any such case may open Pandora’s Box. It is no surprise, then, that the officer sitting in Delhi is keeping tabs on the goings-on in the matter.
Dust and din
The posting of an officer to Raj Bhavan, in place of a woman principal secretary after she has gone on leave, has kicked up dust in the corridors of power. A secretary-rank officer has been asked to work in place of the woman bureaucrat, in addition to his present assignment. It was discussed among the bureaucrats that an officer should be permanently posted there.
The state government is not ready to relieve the officer whom the Governor House wants, because the officer is very close to the Chief Minister and handles many important projects. So, the state administration has just shrugged off the issue by posting a low-profile officer to Raj Bhavan. In fact, no officer of principal secretary-rank wants to go to Raj Bhavan. The reason is – there not much work. Besides, some officers think, it is not easy to adjust with madam in the present situation.
Long Leave!
About an Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), who is on long leave, it is said, that he will not soon return. He took one month’s leave, but he has extended it. When an officer had gone to meet him, the ACS clearly told him, that he would resume duty, only after the elections.
One of the reasons for extension of leave till December is that, the present Chief Secretary is retiring, during that period. Those who are close to the ACS say he wants to stay out of Mantralaya. Known for his uprightness, the long leave taken by the officer has affected the finance department. A major financial crisis is looming over the state. Besides, the opposition has come to know about the working of the officer.
All for puffing on a cigarette
A senior officer in the state gets edgy if the timing of any meeting is extended for a long period. Besides taking quick decision on any matter, his urge for puffing away at a cigarette keeps him edgy. If a meeting continues for a long period, he needs a puff. Since he cannot do that at a meeting, he finishes the conference as quickly as possible and goes out for smoking.
When two principal secretaries did not agree with each other on an issue, this officer had suggested them to set the matter right sitting together after the meeting. And when he had said that, everybody present at the meeting understood that the Sahib wanted to end the conference. This Sahib is called ‘zero Contribution Man’. About him, it is said, that he has no role in any project.
On the edge of tether
An IAS officer is fuming at the government for not being appointed as collector. He expected that he will be given the charge of a district before the Vidhan Sabha elections. For this, he met many senior bureaucrats, and pulled out all the stops for the plum post. Now, he is saying to everyone, that sycophancy has become a key to getting a plum post.
The politicians and the bureaucrats are offering plump posts only to sycophants. Since he cannot fawn he remains isolated. Most of his colleagues have become collectors. But he has no work these days. Officers close to him keep his hope alive, saying the next government will make him collector. But the Sahib does not understand how and when Lady Luck will smile on him. He is approaching all the officers close to the Chief Minister to get a plum post. But his wait for ‘Achhe din’ continues.