In a democratic republic like India it seems the adage that all are equal but some are more equal applies more than any other democratic country in the world. Many a times we the citizens are made to feel that the powerful people of IAS and their ilk are not governed by the laws of the land at all. Their double standards, in applying strictly the common law regarding corruption, to the hapless govt servants of lower echelon, while having a lenient view of the same law when it comes to the IAS officers and their like.
The case in point is that of Smt Amita Prasad IAS against whom serious corruption charges were levied by Smt Rashmi V Mahesh also of IAS. The facts are on 7 April 2014 one Mr Vijayakumar of Mysore complaints to the Govt of Karnataka about the irregularities at ATI Mysore when Smt Amita Prasad was the Director. The Govt of Karnataka directs the incumbent Director Smt Rashmi V Mahesh on 17 July 2014 to inquire in to the allegations and submit a report. Smt Rashmi V Mahesh submits a 29 pages report on 5 Aug 2014 to Shri Kaushik Mukharjee, the Chief Secretary to the Govt of Karnataka who refers the report to DPAR. The report confirms huge irregularities, illegal awarding of contracts, financial mismanagement among other serious allegations against Smt Amita Prasad.
In a high level meeting held under the chairmanship of Additional Chief Secretary, on 18 Aug 2014, a decision was taken to inquire in to the allegations against Smt Amita Prasad IAS and other officials by the Addl Chief Secretary department of Rural Development & Panchayath Raj.
Smt MV Jayanthi, Principal Secretary to DPAR writes in a note on file on 15 Oct 2014 addressed to Chief Secretary recommending joint departmental inquiry and preparation of a draft charge sheet against Smt Amita Prasad and other officials involved in committing irregularities involving hundreds of crores. The Chief Secretary discusses then issue with Smt MV Jayanthi and informs that Addl Chief Secretary to RDPR to conduct the inquiry on 18 Oct 2014.
The story takes a very curious turn from here on. Instead of facing the inquiry by the Govt of Karnataka Smt Amita Prasad is promoted and taken on deputation by the Govt of India, headed by BJP, on 21 Oct 2014 as Joint Secretary in the water resources ministry to head the clean Ganga project which has crores of rupees at its disposal. Travesty of justice. Isn’t it? By appointing an officer facing a high level inquiry for alleged corrupt practices who was under scanner as the Head of a prestigious project it is abundantly clear that the IAS officers are above law of the land. Readers may be surprised to learn that the inquiry has not progressed even an inch in the last 17 months. I had informed the PM of India on 21 Oct 2014 about the pending inquiries against Smt Amita Prasad and requested him not to appoint her in any important portfolio. I have again written on 20 Dec 2015 to both the PM of India and the water resources ministry to ensure the inquiry against the officer is expedited. While the water resources ministry has sent my complaint to the Director (Admin) in the ministry on 18 Jan 2016 for further action the PMO is yet to respond for my 15 month old complaint.
Time has come to such an impasse that if the spirited activists don’t pursue such issues vigorously and persistently the vested interests in the IAS lobby will ensure such inquiries under simply brushed the carpet. This type of incidents give rise to a feeling that IAS officers and their ilk are above laws of the land.
I love my India
JAI HIND