by Dilip Cherian
The controversial “promotion” of former Mumbai police commissioner Rakesh Maria is not the first such operation by Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, who has now built up a reputation for cutting high-profile babus to size. This was not expected when he became chief minister last year. However, over the months the chief minister has shown that he exercises complete control over the state’s bureaucracy.
Observers say that the first sign of Mr Fadnavis’ “independent” streak was seen when he ordered the transfer of Anti-Terrorism Squad head Himanshu Roy, a high-flier for most of his career. Mr Roy was sent off to head the Police Housing and Welfare Corporation, a far cry from his previous prestigious postings. Similarly, another Indian Police Service officer, Hemant Nagrale, too, was moved out of planning and coordination for having complained to the state chief secretary about the director-general of police Sanjeev Dayal.
But it’s not just IPS officers who have been the focus of the chief minister’s attention. Several Indian Administrative Service officers too have been arbitrarily transferred before the completion of their tenures. The one message that has gone out is that Mr Fadnavis is clearly in charge, and now the babus are very worried.
DRDO Makes Waves
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has received a lot of flak in recent times for its inability to meet targets and, therefore, for India’s continuing dependence on imports for its defence requirements. Just how bad are things there? Reportedly, the Prime Minister’s Office is monitoring its activities and has sought monthly progress reports on its various projects, to be shared with the Union Cabinet, the defence minister and the Cabinet Secretariat. Clearly, the government realises the urgent need to fix accountability in the DRDO. It remains to be seen whether this firman will be the much-needed wake-up call for our defence boffins.
Still, there is at least one piece of good news emanating from the DRDO. The Bengaluru-based organisation broke a glass ceiling when the DRDO head S. Christopher announced the appointment of the organisation’s first woman director-general. J. Manjula has assumed charge of the general electronic and communication systems cluster, and earlier headed the defence avionics research wing of the DRDO. It’s a big leap forward.
Gone Boys
Some time back this column had reported that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had taken a dim view of the virus of Indian Administrative Service officers who overstay on foreign assignments or otherwise remain on unauthorised leave. The government has reportedly begun taking action against the errant officers. A notable instance is that of Sanjeev Ahluwalia, a 1980-batch IAS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre, who was “deemed to have resigned” for continuing on foreign assignment beyond the officially approved period.
Yet another IAS officer, Shishir Priyadarshi, too is deemed to have resigned for being on unauthorised leave for nine years! Apparently, there are nine more babus who are absent without official leave and the government has initiated action against them. The government is also believed to be redrafting the rules by which IAS, IPS or IFS officials can lose their jobs for such misdemeanours.
Love them, hate them ignore them at national peril, is the babu guarantee and Dilip’s belief. Share significant babu escapades dilipcherian@hotmail.com