Dilli ka babu
CVC Thomas gets support
Embattled Chief Vigilance Commissioner P.J. Thomas may have got a reprieve until next month, but his refusal to quit on account of his alleged tainted past despite intense pressure has left him isolated. But predictably almost, the former babu has found support from fellow tribesmen in his home state Kerala. The Kerala Indian Administrative Service Officers’ Association has come out in support of Mr Thomas and believes that the former state chief secretary is a victim of a smear campaign.
But babu-watchers in the capital believe that this show of support may not help Mr Thomas in his current troubles. The Supreme Court’s strong observations about his alleged tainted credentials have made Mr Thomas’ position untenable. Besides, Mr Thomas’ role in the 2G scam as telecom secretary too is under the scanner. Many are wondering why Mr Thomas is sticking to his kursi? A restive public already outraged by corruption in high places would dearly like to know what’s really going on.
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Reforming Bihar
Nitish Kumar’s first term as chief minister of Bihar saw a qualitative change in the work culture in state government offices. He introduced the Special Courts Bill that provided for confiscation of the properties of corrupt public servants. According to sources, 14 babus, including two Indian Administrative Service officers, S.S. Verma and K.P. Singh, were punished under the act. Now, after his landslide victory in last month’s elections, Mr Kumar is eager to take his administrative reforms to the next level.
The chief minister plans to crackdown on the state’s corrupt babus through the Right to Service Act, which stipulates strict punishment for officials who fail to deliver important services to people in time. Even limited success, observers say, would seal Mr Kumar’s reputation as a grassroots reformer. Watch this space for updates.
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HP faces crunch
Himachal Pradesh is facing a babu crunch because many young Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers from the state prefer to work in Delhi on deputation. Evidently the crisis is serious enough for chief secretary Rajwant Sandhu to stop the practice. In the absence of IAS babus, the government has had to post Indian Forest Service officers and state cadre officers to positions held by IAS cadre, including that of managing director of the state tourism corporation.
Apparently, at least 21 mid-level IAS officers from the HP cadre are currently on Central deputation. Mr Sandhu now hopes to rein in her cadre officers to restore the balance. Watch this space for updates.
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