Independent Bachchu Kadu ‘manhandled’ deputy secy; union wants strict action.
Independent Bachchu Kadu ‘manhandled’ deputy secy; union wants strict action.
Work at Mantralaya literally came to a standstill following an agitation by employees after a deputy secretary had to be admitted to St. George Hospital after an independent MLA Omprakash Babarao Kadu alias Bachchu Kadu manhandled him.
Maharashtra government employees working at Mantralaya, the state secretariat, went on a flash strike after the MLA allegedly manhandled deputy secretary Bhausaheb Gavit, an official there. They alleged that Mr Kadu, an independent MLA from Achalpur, beat up Mr Gavit.
Mr Kadu has however denied the assault charge. A Mantralaya staffer said that the MLA was incensed after Mr Gavit refused to allot government accommodation to a clerk who has already been allotted a (government) house.
Meanwhile, a case has been registered against Mr Kadu at the Marine Drive police station for allegedly slapping Mr Gavit.
Revenue minister Eknath Khadse assured the House that the matter would be inquired into thoroughly and appropriate action would be taken according to the law if Mr Kadu was found to be guilty.
The Mantralaya gazetted officers union has condemned the alleged attack on Mr Gavit and demanded that strict action be taken against Mr Kadu.
G.D. Kulthe, president of the union, said that it was not for the first time that the MLA Mr Kadu had manhandled government officials, and that till date he had beaten up government officers at least 27 times. Earlier, during the protest of physically handicapped persons on the premises of Mantralaya, he had allegedly manhandled the secretary from social justice department. Before that, he had allegedly beaten up a tehsildar.
Meanwhile, the Mantralaya employees have decided to continue their protest on Wednesday and will not work till the police arrest Mr Kadu, said K.D. Patil, another official from the union.
