BOMBAY, 23 May 2005 — A senior bureaucrat dared to do the unthinkable — to discipline police or excise officers who brought political pressure on him for transfers to “plum” postings.
Maharashtra State Excise Commissioner C. S. Sangitrao, cracked the whip on 10 senior excise department inspectors, who tried to pressurize him through government desire (GD) orders.
These orders come through ministers, politicians, social organizations, leading public figures, seeking postings and transfers to plum posts for their favorites.
The commissioner instead of succumbing to the pressure took the attack to these officers. He issued show cause notice to all of them under the Maharashtra Civil Service (Conduct) Rules 1979 and also initiated disciplinary proceedings against them after a preliminary probe confirmed that these 10 inspectors were seeking to pressurize him or some senior excise officials associated with the process of transfers and postings.
Refusing to disclose the names of the inspectors citing administrative reasons, Sangitrao said that he has invoked the provisions of the MCSR, to discipline the officers, so that it may be a lesson to others.
Sangitrao had taken serious note of these pressure tactics when he was flooded with letters when he took charge in January 2005. The commissioner then issued a circular to his department, warning them of action under the Maharashtra Civil Service (Conduct) Rules 1979.
When some officials still persisted, Sangitrao took action. In addition, Sangitrao, shocked the government by transferring this week a record number of 80 officials who had completed three years tenure at one place. These officers were shunted to far flung remote districts in Vidarbha and Marathwada region. A senior bureaucrat speaking to “Arab News” said that though the Deputy Chief Minister R. R. Patil has publicly stated that he would not allow political interference in the transfers of officials, that would reduce corruption, it is he and the chief minister who have issued several government desire orders.
