It seems that the Centre’s threat to seek action against five police officers who were present at a demonstration led by chief minister Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata recently was mere bluster — easier to say than to implement. (Photo: PTI)

Two senior IAS officers in the government of India and one from UT cadre are yet to get their next posting even though their successors have been appointed.

According to sources, Sanjay Kumar Singh, a 1987-batch IAS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, was replaced by Ansuli Arya, a 1989-batch IAS officer at the Universal Services Obligation Fund (USOF), but he is yet to be posted for his next job. Similarly, Jaishree Mukherjee, a 1986-batch officer of the Maharashtra cadre, was shifted in December from the I&B ministry following the appointment of Atul Kumar Tiwary by downgrading the post from assistant secretary to joint secretary. She too is awaiting her new posting.

Further, say sources, last December, former Goa chief secretary Dharmendra Sharma had proceeded on leave following the appointment of Parimal Rai as his successor. The ministry of home affairs being the cadre controlling authority of UT cadre officers and the lieutenant governor being key to such placements, his further posting too depends on the NaMo administration.

It is rare to put such senior officers under an inordinately long wait. What is worrying officers is not only their careers, but also where to draw their salary once relieved from the previous department/ministry and while waiting to join another.

Many contenders for railway post
The post of executive director, establishment (sports), in the railway board is highly sought after. Its importance is underlined by the fact that the Indian Railways is one of the biggest employers of acclaimed sportspersons in the country. Not surprisingly, therefore, over a dozen aspirants are jostling for appointment to the post, which fell vacant when Rekha Yadav (IRPS:1995) was appointed additional commissioner, CPFO, under the ministry of labour and employment.

According to sources, claims and competition have escalated for a set of reasons. Reportedly, as half-a-dozen officers are in the race for the job, namely; Ashwini Kr. Yadav (IRSE); Ravinder Bhakhar (CPRO, CR); Ajeet Singh Yadav (IRSS); M.S. Sunil (RPF); Prema K. Lochan (IRSEE); Vinamara Mishara (DGM, NR); Vijender Singh (secretary to GM, NR); Satya Narayan Meena (IRSSE).

Who’ll emerge the victor in this intense competition remains to be seen.

Empty threat?
It seems that the Centre’s threat to seek action against five police officers who were present at a demonstration led by chief minister Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata recently was mere bluster — easier to say than to implement.

According to some reports, the ministry of home affairs had sought punitive action against the five officers and was considering stripping them of their meritorious awards and banning them from Central deputation. The officers named included Kolkata additional commissioner of police Supratim Sarkar, and Vineet Goyal, who heads the chief minister’s security team.

However, sources say that such an order cannot be issued without conducting an inquiry. Also, any disciplinary action against an officer has to be initiated by the state government, which then relays the relevant papers to the ministry.

Since, in this instance, it was the chief minister herself who had organised the protest, it can be safely assumed that the state government will not initiate any such a move against the senior cops. In effect, the Centre can rail and flail about it, but it cannot take action against the cops.