“Two days, Three Offices and fourteen signatures”

‘Revoke of the suspension’

“There was no need for this judicial custody after five years” – Manoj Parida, Secretary (Social Welfare)

“Reinstate the officer so that he can retire on duty” – Manoj Parida requesting to the LG on behalf of Mr. P. N. Jha.

                     

                        It is a matter of Rs. 10 crore procurement scheme related to the 2005-2006 financial year, involving homes for destitute children under social welfare Department, government of Delhi.

The investigation was initiated in 2008 after secured the forged quotations from the department with the use of RTI applcation. The officials who were part of the purchase committee in 2005-2006, were arrested. Mr. P.N. Jha and two officials of the rank of superintendent were arrested on July 14, 2010. They were sent to judicial custody and placed under “deemed suspension” under the service rules.

The matter of action to be taken against Mr. Jha sent to Delhi chief secretary Rakesh Mehta and Rajender Khanna and the official were placed under deemed suspension on 26^th July, 2010. Within two day the officials backing Mr. Jha moved another application to revoke his suspension. The file moved from chief secretary to the LG’s office and went back to chief secretary on July 29, 2010. The next day, on July 30^th, it passes 11 desks, including Social Welfare Secretary and the Director of the Departments Vigilance Branch.

The order revoking the suspension was issued on July 30^th. Mr. Jha retired on July 31, 2010 with all benefits he could get under the service rule. Surprisingly , the file passed the desk of the Lt. Governor and chief secretary twice on the same day, but neither raised the question of possible ‘mala fide’ intensions behind the swift movement of the file.

The whole episode exposes the system and proves that we are suffering just because of favouritism.

Why government revoke the suspension of Mr. Jha, despite of fact that other two officers along with remain suspended? Why department gave clean chit to the erring one without proper investigation? Do they the deal the file of Common Man like this?