New Delhi: In May, an IAS couple was transferred from Delhi after they were found allegedly approving a government sports facility of athletes to walk their dog. ThePrint has learned that two months later, the couple went on a “long leave” within days of reporting their new postings in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh.
Both Sanjeev Khirwar and Rinku Dhugga are 1994 batch officers of AGMUT(A).Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram and Union Territories) cadre. On May 26, Khirwar was transferred to Ladakh by the Ministry of Home Affairs, while Dhugga was posted to Arunachal Pradesh.
Transfer Order – After which happened One Indian Express Reportedly found couple from Delhi Tyagaraja Stadium Stopped early so they could walk their dog – widely seen as punishment.
As per Khirwar’s “Transfer and Posting” order – a copy of which is with ThePrint – he was sent to Ladakh as principal secretary. He reported to go on duty on 4th July and was allotted three departments by the UT administration – School education, housing and urban development, and information technology – on July 6, the order says.
However, he went on leave after serving “a few days”, Sources in the UT administration said that their The departments are now under the supervision of other officers.
“He has taken a long leave. His leave was sanctioned by the Lieutenant Governor (Radha Krishna Mathur),A top official of the Ladakh administration said. The official declined to divulge further details about Khirwar’s leave, saying it was “personal”.
State government sources said Dhuga had joined duty in Arunachal Pradesh on June 27 and was appointed as the principal secretary of indigenous affairs.
A senior state government official said she went on leave of 70 days after joining.
,His leave was granted by the chief minister himself,” the official added on condition of anonymity.
ThePrint reached out to Khirwar via texts with questions about his and Dhugga’s leave, but did not elicit a response till the time of publication of this report.
Read also: Punishment posting for civil servants has changed over time, but the stigma remains the same
,Reluctant officers handed over important departments
a source in the central government Said that the IAS couple was on leave and not in delhi When the transfer order came from MHA. The source said it took a month for the couple to report on their work after returning to Delhi.
As per rules, an officer gets 15 days to report on duty from the day of transfer order. AGMUT cadre officers who serve ‘Tough Zone’They are entitled to receive special incentives from the time of reporting.
MHA’s transfer order came a few hours later meaning The report has been published. Sources in the Delhi government said that no inquiry was initiated before the order was issued.
“The MHA is the appropriate authority to take a decision on whether to initiate an investigation,” a Delhi government official said on condition of anonymity.
A senior IAS officer said the transfer was the only option with the central government “to allay public outrage over social media”.
However, former civil servants say that the transfer of officers to places like Arunachal and Ladakh as a “punishment” is “damaging” to the image of these regions.
“Transfer can never be a punishment,” said a senior IAS officer who retired as chief secretary. “There are many other ways of fixing accountability. This is also a matter of policy. These difficult areas (in the AGMUT cadre) need officers and their constant presence. It would be good if the government considers this and sends interested officers to this area. send.”
Retired IAS officer TR Raghunandan said it is “unfortunate” that areas like Ladakh and Arunachal are being promoted as punishment postings, and the government is pushing the idea of punishment transfer.
“The transfer order was brought to control public outrage. This is totally eye-catching. And it is very condescending to the people living in these areas,” he said. “In the past, the North East used to make special requests to officers expressing their willingness to serve in states or difficult areas. They were sent there and they served with great pride.”
(Edited by Uttara Ramaswamy)