Says conduct violates standards expected of civil servants; urges MHA to intervene
Srinagar: National Conference MLA Salman Sagar on Friday condemned the misbehaviour of a senior IAS officer with a woman JKAS officer, calling for strict action against the official and urging the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to intervene.
MLA Sagar described the incident as unfortunate and painful and said the officer’s conduct was contrary to the standards expected of a member of the Indian Administrative Service.
“There are certain standards and basics of being an IAS officer. He has broken them,” MLA Sagar said, adding that civil servants should not behave as if they were operating under colonial rule.
“This is not Lord Curzon. This is not the East India Company where you can start abusing local officers. We are part of a democratic setup and a secular state,” he said.
The NC legislator said the incident was condemnable and called on the authorities responsible for the transfer and disciplinary control of IAS officers to take appropriate action.
Referring to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s remarks on the issue, MLA Sagar said the officer should face strict punishment, adding that such incidents could erode public trust in the administrative system.
“People lose their trust in this system. This increases hatred and poison,” he said.
MLA Salman Sagar also said the matter should not be viewed solely as an issue concerning the Lieutenant Governor’s administration, but should be examined by the Union government.
“This is not just about the Lieutenant Governor. The MHA in Delhi should also look at this,” he said, warning that retaining officers accused of such conduct in field postings could have adverse long-term consequences for the people and the country. (KNS)
