Discussions have intensified in administrative circles regarding charge allocation among senior officers in Uttarakhand Forest Department. The matter is related to the redistribution of departmental responsibilities between IFS and IAS officers, in which questions are being raised about the role of governance.
After the retirement of officer BP Gupta, his charge was handed over to Meenakshi.
A few days ago, after the retirement of Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF level) officer BP Gupta, his charge was handed over to IFS officer Meenakshi. Under the order issued from the government level, he was also given the additional responsibility of Legal and HRD (Human Resource Development) cell. This order was duly issued by the government, from which it was clear that the said charges have been given with the approval of the government.
However, recently after the return of IAS officer Surendra Mehra, the relevant charge was handed over to him in place of BP Gupta. The discussion is about the fact that this change in workload was done directly from the Forest Headquarters level, whereas no separate formal order was issued from the government in this regard. Not only this, it has also come to light that the responsibility of the legal department has been handed over to Surendra Mehra, whereas this charge was earlier allotted to Meenakshi through a government order.
The state government has the decision on division of officers.
Administrative experts say that the state government has the final authority to decide the division of work and charge of All India Service (AIS) officers. In such a situation, if the responsibility given to any officer is changed, then a revised order is required from the government level. Now questions are being raised on transparency and legality regarding the process of change of charge at the departmental level.
Sources in the Forest Department say that this could be a part of internal administrative restructuring, while in other circles it is being described as an extra-procedural step. At present, official clarification is awaited in this matter. This development has given rise to a wide debate whether the decisions taken at the departmental head level can be above the government’s mandate, or whether due approval of the government is mandatory for every charge change.
Forest Principal of this subject, Secretary RK Sudhanshu said that the charge can be given by the Hof for 3 months, but after that the decision will be taken by Shana. This type of decision is giving rise to many discussions whether it is right to take such decisions? Is this measure of punishment different for every officer or are such decisions taken only for special ones?