MPCC censures service extension
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 30 2022: Taking strong exception to the extension of service of Chief Secretary Dr Rajesh Kumar, the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has decried that the State Government's move has turned out to be a serious setback for Additional Chief Secretaries who are eligible for the post of Chief Secretary.

Speaking to media persons at Congress Bhavan here today, MPCC vice-president and spokesman N Bhupenda pointed out that the State Cabinet adopted a decision on April 3, 2017 whereby extension of services of retired Government employees was prohibited.

However, the service of Chief Secretary Dr Rajesh Kumar has been extended by six months in total violation of the Cabinet decision.

There are Additional Chief Secretaries MH Khan and Letkhogin Kipgen who belong to the 1988 batch and are qualified to succeed Dr Rajesh Kumar, he said.

Asking if the service extension of Dr Rajesh Kumar implies none of the incumbent Additional Chief Secretaries are qualified for the post of Chief Secretary, the MPCC vice-president asserted that the office memorandum issued by the Government of India on December 1 which laid down certain criteria for service extension of retired employees do not give any rule for extension of the service period of Chief Secretary by six months.

The State Government's order for service extension of Chief Secretary Dr Rajesh Kumar has testified that there is no rule of law under the incumbent Government, Bhupenda said.

Asking if the Cabinet decision had been revoked, the MPCC vice-president questioned as to why the Chief Minister is not keeping his own words.

He asserted that there are many senior IAS officers who are qualified for the post of Chief Secretary.

It is only natural for junior/subordinate officers to feel demoralised if the services of retired or retiring officers are extended again and again, he said.

Pointing out that the service of Chief Secretary Dr Rajesh Kumar is being extended for the second time, the MPCC spokesman went on to ask as to how good governance can be achieved under such policy of the Government.

Repeated service extension of some selected officers has become a major factor of aggravated corruption in the State, he said.

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