By Aires Rodrigues
The recently appointed Excise Commissioner of Goa Dr. Jayadev Sarangi has been shunted from the post for having transferred Excise Inspectors without the approval of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. Dr Sarangi, a senior IAS officer who was posted in Goa last month by the Union Home Ministry had taken charge as Excise Commissioner just two weeks ago on 21st May. Dr. Jayadev Sarangi known to be no-nonsense officer was Deputy Inspector General of Prisons at the Tihar Jail before being posted in Goa.
On 1st June, Dr. Jayadev Sarangi issued orders transferring 24 Excise Inspectors and Sub-Inspectors who had completed a year at the same excise station. Incidentally Mr. Sarangi left the same evening to Delhi on a week’s leave to bring his family down to Goa.
After the transfer orders were faxed the same evening to the Excise stations, the transferred officials moved their political contacts the same night to get their orders cancelled. Sources reveal that Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar was annoyed that the transfers were effected without his consent and tried to get them cancelled that same night. It is learnt that the OSD to the Chief Minister Mr. Michael D’Souza who was officiating as Excise commissioner during Dr. Sarangi’s leave period tried to contact officers late that night to cancel the orders. On Monday 4th June, Michael D’Souza, issued an order keeping in abeyance the transfer orders issued by Dr. Sarangi.
Interestingly in the transfer orders issued by Dr Sarangi, four lady officials for the first time were posted at the Excise stations. In the past ladies were reportedly always sidelined and denied posting at the excise stations.
Ironically Dr Sarangi who is scheduled to return back to Goa tomorrow accompanied by his family to resume as Excise Commissioner on June 11th finds himself suddenly shunted out on the orders of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. Dr. Sarangi has been directed to report to personnel department to await his next posting.
The transfer of staff within the department was the prerogative of the Excise Commissioner and did not require any approval or consent of the Chief Minister or any other politician. Chief Minister Manohar Parikar is high handedly interfering in the day to day administration. This behavior is neither permissible nor acceptable.
The bureaucracy should be be allowed to function independent and free of political interference. The rule of law requires government officials to solely comply with the law at all times. Every government official should vow not to succumb to illegal political orders and to always do what is right while functioning strictly in accordance with law. Government officials who bow and bend to the politicians in power have no right to be in public service being paid by the State exchequer.
