Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 30:
In a clear sign of unhealthy relationship between executives and legislature three top officials of various engineering departments have apprised concerned authorities to relief them (executives) from responsibilities of their current posts.
Unable to withstand persistent pressure of Ministers the Principal Secretary (Works) and Principal Secretary (PHED) are reported to have apprised the Chief Secretary and PHE Minister respectively to relieve them from the responsibilities and sought transfer to other more low profile jobs.
Taking note of the serious development an emergency meeting presided by the Chief Minister and attended by several senior Ministers was held at the CM's office chamber in late evening to discuss on the issue.
However, what transpired at the said meeting could not be ascertained.
According to informed sources, the Principal Secretary (Works) AE Ahmed has submitted papers to the CS today and as per requisite official formalities the concerned Minister is reported to have accepted the proposal.
Ahmed, who was recently appointed to the post has been unable to discharge official duties due to frequent intervention of some ruling party Ministers and took the ultimate decision to avoid executive-legislature clash, said the source.
The Chief Secretary also forwarded Ahmed�s paper to the Chief Minister, informed the source.
On what reasons might have compelled the officer to step down from the lucrative post, the source speculated that arrogance of the Ministers, frequent over ruling of policies proposed by bureaucrats and enormous pressure exerted by the legislators' insistence of taking the final decision in matters related to the Works department may be one of many other ground.
The source also mulled of the Principal Secretary taking the extreme step following the recent allegations of withdrawal of development fund without execution of assigned tasks at Ukhrul and Tamenglong districts as ruling party legislators have been conspiring to covering up the mess at any cost.
Another reason the source cited for Ahmed�s decision might be related to persistence of some Ministers to ensure cheques are issued to contractors of their choice.
In another development, V Chibber also forwarded proposal to the concerned Minister to relieve him (Chibber) from the current position as Principal Secretary (PHED), said sources while speculating pressures from Ministers might have forced the officer to opt for another department.
In yet another reflection of widening chasm between the executives and legislatures, Chief Engineer of Public Works Department Digendra has applied the Works Minister for voluntary retirement from service.
The Department of Personnel is likely to issue an order consenting digendra�s proposal within a short period of time.
Press sources disclosed that Digendra tendered resignation papers for voluntary retirement following unacceptable pressure from SPF Ministers as well as from underground outfits.