Forum for Integrity in Governance (A Civil Society Coalition) A-5, Second Main Road, Thiruvalluvar Nagar,Tiruvanmiyur, Chennai – 600041. Tel: 044-24515601 01 August 2013
Suspension of SDM, NOIDA – Public Statement thereof
Forum for Integrity in Governance takes strong exception to the manner in which even the most basic norms of administration and governance have been contemptuously discarded in the arbitrary and autocratic suspension of Ms. Durga Shakti Nagpal, SDM, Gautam Buddh Nagar (NOIDA). All India Service Rules clearly state that an IAS Officer can be suspended only if charges leveled against him/her would finally lead to major punishment such as dismissal/removal from service. The explanation of the officer should have been asked for and examined before passing the suspension order. While doing so the Chief Minister should have applied his mind based on facts and come to an informed decision.
None of these appeared to have happened in the case of Durga Shakti. The sequence of events leading to the suspension of this young and upright officer as reported in the media makes distressing reading. The allegation of her having ordered ‘demolition’ of the wall of any religious structure appears to have been deviously cooked up as the report of the District Magistrate clearly suggests. The report states that Kadalpur village residents dismantled the illegal construction of their own volition and no JCB or other heavy machinery was ever pressed into service to demolish any wall. The report, with inputs from the district police as well as other administrative officers, also says there was no communal tension or the possibility of any clashes between religious communities.
What is abhorrent is the manner in which the suspension order was issued. As per reports this was done at the instance of a 'senior' ruling party politician who got the secretariat office opened on Saturday/Sunday midnight and got the orders issued by a 'groveling' official and Chief Minister Akilesh Yadav was informed only later. This Samajwadi Party‘leader’ is stated to control the bulk of the sand mining activities in NOIDA area which Durga cracked down disregarding political affiliations, by seizing trucks, slapping fines and lodging FIRs against errant persons. If true, this shows the depth of depravation in to which governance and civil administration have descended in the country in general and UP in particular.
There is no clear confirmation as to who signed the nocturnal suspension order, but the fingers point at UP Government’s department of appointments. The principal secretary of this department, who might in all probability have signed the suspension order has come out with a callous statement: "As an officer of the UP government, Ms. Nagpal's reinstatement is in the hands of the state government, as the rightful disciplinary authority. As per the procedure, the government has up to 45 days in which to charge sheet her. In this case, the process may be expedited. It is the state government's decision." Is there any honour left in these kind of senior civil servants who crawl when only asked to bend? They have brought shame and disrepute to the IAS, meant to give fair and just administration and uphold integrity in governance.
One had expected that a young Chief Minister would bring about fresh air and change in the style of governance. This has been proved wrong. It is still not too late for the UP CM to make amends. He should urgently look into the matter and render justice as well as restore confidence among the public by revoking the suspension order forthwith and honorably reinstating Durga Shakti to the same position.
Sd/-
M.G.Devasahayam IAS (Retd)
(Convener, Forum for Integrity in Governance, Writer, Author)