The case of Sandeep Silas, an IRTS officer from the 1984 batch, raises concerns about the irreparable damage caused to a babu’s reputation, even after corrective actions have been taken. Recently, the ACC headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved Silas’ empanelment in Higher Administrative Grade (HAG) for the 2016-17 panel on a notional basis, almost three years after his superannuation and eight years after being falsely implicated in the “Rail Neer” scandal in 2015.
Sources have informed DKB that despite reports from the Railway Board Vigilance and the Central Vigilance Commission in 2016 clearly stating that “no case is made out” against Silas, the Railway Ministry proceeded to issue a prosecution sanction against the officer, even disregarding the Delhi High Court order quashing this sanction. Silas, who interestingly, had earlier served as the private secretary to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge during his tenure as Labour and Employment Minister, was subjected to custody, both by the CBI and subsequently by the judiciary, and his tenure as CCM (Catering) Northern Railway was cut short to just two months due to a leave vacancy.
While a grievous wrong has been rectified, several babus and observers are asking questions about the role of key officers and the institutional negligence that led to a loss of reputation, career and harassment of the babu. It also serves as a reminder of the urgent need to address the systemic issues that allow such episodes to occur.
New CBI chief: A strategic move or partisan politics?
In the aftermath of the state Assembly elections in Karnataka, while one political battle may seem to have concluded, another one is brewing. The shifting battleground now lies within the power corridors rather than the polling stations. Just a day after the Congress party’s triumph, the Centre announced the selection of Karnataka DGP Praveen Sood as the new Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a two-year tenure, replacing the outgoing director Subodh Kumar Jaiswal.
Given that Sood had been targeted by senior Congress leader DK Shivakumar, who denounced him as a “stooge of the BJP” and even demanded his arrest, the move is being seen by many as a deliberate attempt by the Modi sarkar’s way to continue to make things difficult for the new Congress government in Karnataka. The choice of Sood as the head of the CBI clearly indicates that he is the preferred candidate of the Centre. Consequently, Sood is expected to resume his battle with Shivakumar and the Congress, both of which are vulnerable to corruption charges.
However, Sood’s appointment did not come without a hitch. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, the Leader of the Opposition and a member of the three-member selection panel chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressed dissent by stating that Sood’s name was not included in the original list submitted to the panel. Despite Chowdhury’s reservations, Modi’s decision prevailed. And now that Sood will sit in Delhi as the head of the powerful CBI, observers eagerly await the resurgence of the battle between the BJP and the Congress. As the dust settles, only time will reveal the true motivations behind this decision and the impact it will have on the political landscape of Karnataka.
Impasse continues on Delhi’s administrative authority
In the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s landmark verdict, the AAP government in Delhi wasted no time in acting, swiftly moving to remove Ashish More, Secretary of the Delhi government’s Services Department. But the move took a dramatic turn when the Special Secretary of the department responded, asserting that the power of the Delhi government to transfer and post officers independently has not yet been implemented. According to the prevailing order from the Ministry of Home Affairs, this authority rests with the Lt Governor until the Ministry either revokes or revises it.
Clearly, there are still grey areas, despite the five-judge bench order, and given the response of the Services Department to More’s transfer, the ultimate hiring power still rests with the Centre!
During this administrative tug-of-war, the Aam Aadmi Party has filed a plea regarding the stalled transfer of the Secretary of the Service Department by the Centre. It has also reportedly recommended the name of 1995 cadre IAS officer AK Singh for the position.
What the ongoing power tussle shows is the complex dynamics of administrative authority in Delhi. The clash between the elected government and the LG’s office has been a long-standing issue, with each side claiming legitimate authority. For now, the issue is back with the Supreme Court, and it is hoped that we’ll finally see some clarity and guidance on the scope and extent of the elected government’s administrative authority. Until then, babus in Delhi will remain on tenterhooks!
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