Adarsh Row: Action against bureaucrats may not be easy, say reports

MAHARASHTRA government’s first attempt to take action against bureaucrats allegedly linked to the Adarsh society scam, has entered into a problem zone. Maharashtra chief information commissioner Ramanand Tiwari and state human rights commissioner Subhash Lala, have refused to resign despite chief minister wanted them to put in their papers, according to media reports. Whereas Ramanand Tiwari is a 1972 batch retired IAS, Subhash Lalla is a 1977 batch retired IAS. Chief secretary SA Dange was quoted saying that both the retired bureaucrats have not resigned as yet.

The state government decided to crack the whip on bureaucrats after it was felt that politicians may have to bear the brunt whereas over 20 bureaucrats whose relatives were beneficiaries of the disputed housing project in the heart of Mumbai could go scot free.

In fact, the state government first targeted the retired bureaucrats whose removals are believed to be much easier than those in service. But under section 17 (1) of the RTI Act, for example, the state government has to seek the consent of the governor before taking action against the state information officer, reports DNA quoting a legal expert. In case of removal of state human rights commissioner, President of India’s consent is needed. Now, Tiwari and Lalla have refused to resign citing that proper procedure of their removal was not followed.

Sources have claimed that more heads are likely to roll as the state government is not satisfied with answers of most of the 21 bureaucrats who replied to the query of Maharahstra government’s General Administration Department on whether “they had ever dealt with the Adarsh file, the source of their funds and whether their sons or daughters were members of the society”. Among those under the scanner are: former municipal commissioner and 1978 batch IAS JM Phatak, former city collector and 1996 batch IAS Ms IA Kundan, former BEST general manager and 1984 batch IAS Uttam Khobragade, current Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation commissioner and 1980 batch IAS Swadheen Khastriya to name a few.

Action and Appointments

RAS officer, not IPS to head RAW

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the following:

a) To allow 1971 batch Jharkhand cadre IPS, KC Verma, currently secretary (Research and Analysis Wing), Cabinet Secretary, to superannuate on December 30, 2010.

b) And appointment of 1972 batch RAS, SK Tripathi, as secretary (Research and Analysis Wing), Cabinet Secretariat on a two-year tenure with effect from December 30, 2010 in place of KC Verma.