Deadwood is a term used for such Government functionaries as are tainted, corrupt or indulging in malpractices and irregularities while discharging official duty. A Government functionary is covered by Civil Service Rules which is a compendium of various rules, practices and guidelines permanently laid down by the Governments regulating the services of the employees. In the CSR, there is a clear chapter on monitoring the performance of all Government functionaries whatever the rank. There are also rules of what punishment will be given to a functionary against whom cases of corruption, imbecility or irregularity are established after due process and in accordance with the law.
Corruption of Government functionaries has become a known fact for some years in the past. It is nothing new and has been there always in some measure but in recent years such cases have increased and become alarming. Apart from charges of corruption, misuse of authority, administrative irregularity and other gross instances of dereliction of duty, charges of conniving with anti-social and anti-state elements have also been up against Government functionaries from time to time.
Late Mufti Sayeed had taken up this matter after he had formed the Coalition Government. In June 2015, his Government had given compulsory retirement to 63 officers. However, the courts struck down termination orders of six officers so far while cases of many others were pending in the High Court at various stages. Recently, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has approved the proposal of GAD terminating the services of 21 Government functionaries. It will be noted that the CM holds the charge of General Administration Department where from termination of services in respect of each of 21 identified functionaries was issued by invoking Article 226 of Civil Service Rules (CSR) against them.
The termination of services of these 21 functionaries has been issued after ensuring that this individual termination order will pass the judicial test as well and the reasons why in previous cases the courts had struck down the termination order in at least six cases. It means that the discrepancy that had remained in the termination of service order in previous cases has not been allowed to creep in while issuing the dismissal of 21 functionaries. Well, that is what the Government thinks makes its position strong and not vulnerable to judicial intervention.
However, we would like to raise two issues in this context. The first is that there is no senior officer among the 21 of the functionaries whose services have been terminated. In the earlier order of dismissal of 63 functionaries there were senior officers as well. But this time only junior functionaries like patwaris, clerks are targeted. How come that no senior officer is touched while we know that there have been allegations against some seniors also. It should not be that the seniors have managed to save themselves using their influence of political clout. The second point which has relevance to the year 2015 dismissals also in addition to recently terminated 21 functionaries is what action does the Government propose to take to recover huge money which has been allegedly amassed or embezzled by the dismissed Government functionary for which he has been punished? We are told that some of them have raised huge properties which speak of their affluence. If charges of corruption are proved against such functionaries — and of course these have been proved — then that property has been raised through illegal means and monies that actually belongs to the people. The Government should clarify its position in this connection.
Lastly, we appreciate the bold decision of the Chief Minister who wants to translate her words in to practice. We have to appreciate her corrective measures to give the State clean and uncorrupted administration.
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