People for Democratic Rights (PDR), while lauding the State Vigilance Commission (SVC) for taking cognizance of the issues of corruption, nepotism, and favouritism, has alleged such practise in the Tourism department and Legal Metrology & Consumer Protection (LMCP) departments.
PDR media cell pointed out that after the SVC began its inquiry into the LMCP department, taking cognizance of alleged illegal appointments, the latter had also started another inquiry into the corruption issues in the Tourism department.
PDR alleged that the daughter of a retired senior official of the Tourism department was allegedly appointed through the backdoor as Tourist Officer. It said that this particular appointment was already highlighted along with several other backdoor and irregular appointments. PDR said that the person in question had also recently cleared the NPSC 2017 exam, to be appointed in the Art & Culture department.
Since her case along with several other cases were already under investigation by the SVC, PDR stated that no person under police/vigilance investigation or any inquiry for any reason cannot be given any government appointment unless his/her case/position was cleared through the investigation or inquiry.
Therefore, PDR has asked the Art & Culture department not to issue the appointment letter, unless her name was cleared by the SVC. PDR has also requested NPSC to also take note of the case and take necessary action.
With regard to LMCP department, PDR pointed out that following the death of the senior most assistant controller of the department on October 2018, the vacancy has appeared to be an opportunity to be used by an official who was earlier cautioned not to lobby with influential and powerful persons including a former vigilance commissioner to get a clean chit.
Despite being cautioned, PDR claimed that the officer was now trying to promote his daughter to the post, even before the SVC could give out a clear and fair stand on the issue
PDR further claimed that person, after being appointed in the department in November 2010, was promoted within three months even before completing the required regularization period. This case, along with other backdoor appointments, was under SVC investigation, PDR stated.
In this regard, PDR asserted that a person whose name is currently under investigation should never be recommended for promotion unless the case was cleared by the SVC. PDR also alleged that the person’s earlier appointment and promotion were orchestrated under high profile case of nepotism and favouritism. It said that the four candidates who got selected through NPSC in 2015 deserved promotion more than her as they came out through open competitive exam.
PDR also reminded that there were two more senior persons who were appointed in 2004 and 2005. They too deserve promotion more than the officer’s daughter, it added.
PDR has therefore cautioned the officer, who will be retiring in 2019, to stop all sorts of objectionable lobby both within and outside the department/government.
PDR also reiterated its demand to the government to send the incumbent official of the LMCP on leave so that the SVC could conduct a free and fair inquiry.
Meanwhile, PDR said chief minister’s message on the eve of the Vigilance Awareness Week had given hope that the PDA government would try to bring out a comprehensive zero tolerance policy towards corruption.
It said the Governor had also called upon the SVC, as the apex anti-corruption body, to promote transparency and accountability and maintain integrity in public life.
To this, PDR said that if the SVC probe was found unsatisfactory, it would not hesitate to seek proper and effective legal redressal against the two departments.