Posting?
A senior IAS officer is unhappy with his present place of posting. Whenever he wants posting, the government always transfers him to an unimportant position. It happens the way the parents give toys to their children to keep them happy. The IAS officer has been trying to get an important department for a long time. He has made all efforts to please the leaders of the ruling party and the higher-ups in the government. He is also making all efforts to please the head of the state and the Bade Sahib. Yet, his desire for an important department remains unfulfilled. The Sahib has been recently given the additional charge of an organisation, but he is unhappy due to controversies that often take place there. So, he fears lest there should be some disputes. The Sahib wants an important department where he can spend the rest of the stint of his career peacefully.
Face to face
The minister and the secretary of an important department are opposed to each other. Their relationship has turned sour. The secretary keeps all the files sent by the minister pending. Similarly, the files that the secretary wants to push ahead gather dust on the minister’s table. Because of the cold war between them, a lot of important work of the department is held up. Because of a lack of coordination between them, other officials are feeling disturbed. If the other officers are seen with the minister, the secretary gets angry. There are reports that the minister has recently met the head of the state and a senior officer, requesting them to remove the secretary. The goings-on have also disturbed the secretary. When he was previously posted in other departments, he would pick a quarrel with his colleagues. He may be shifted from the department due to the minister’s desire. Given the situation and because of the minister’s desire, the secretary may be shifted from there.
For plum posting
Two officers are using their clout to get a plum posting. There are talks about the transfer of the officer who is now holding the post. The corridors of power are full of murmurs about his shifting from the department in the coming days. It is said that the officer has been given a hint about it. The officials of the department, where the Sahib is posted, are also discussing it. In this situation, IAS officers are lobbying for posting in this department. One of them is considered very influential. The Sahib has made many powerful people happy. Because the talks about his transfer are also underway, this Sahib wants to go to the department he craves for. The Sahib is ready to do anything for it. Besides him, another IAS officer posted in the state capital, is keen on joining this department. This Sahib, too, is influential. The purpose of his joining the department is to collect carrots through offstage deals.
Important district
An IAS officer, who always courts controversies, wants to get the collectorship of an important district before retirement. He is still posted in an important district. The Sahib has been trying to get the collectorship of an important district since the end of the Lok Sabha election. The outcome of the parliamentary election in the district where he is posted was in favour of the ruling party. So, he expected that he would get an important district, but that did not happen. Now, the Sahib has set his eyes on two places. He is making efforts for a posting in one of them. The Sahib has brought everything to his side through political pulls, but many bureaucrats are against sending him to an important district because of his past deeds. His purpose is to go to a district either in Maha Kaushal region or in Malwa region. For this officer, it does not matter whether the BJP or the Congress is in power, because he is considered an expert in influencing any politician or any political party to meet his purpose.
Bid for rehabilitation
An Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) wants rehabilitation to keep the official bungalow and the car with him after retirement. Ergo, he wants to go to any place. He has told two senior officers to rehabilitate him to any post. He has a list of departments where he can go. His career is full of ups and downs. He is not posted in an important department. Thus, he is depending on his colleagues for rehabilitation. Both the senior officers have assured the ACS of getting him adjusted to any department, but they know it is easier said than done.
Waning influence
“Bada shor sunte the pahlu mein dil ka jo chira to katra-e-khoon na nikla (a great noise was heard from your heart, but when it was split open, not a single drop of blood was out).” These lines of Khwaja Haider Ali Aatish aptly portray the condition of a police officer. The way the incidents of crime are being reported from an important city, where the officer is posted, indicate that his influence is waning. Once this officer was considered an expert in policing. But in the city, where he is posted now, a shameful incident took place because of political rivalry between two groups. Afterwards, another incident occurred. But then it happened to the police officer. Apart from that, the happenings in the city have sparked resentment among the residents. Growing drug trade has raised many questions on the efficiency of the police department. When the officer was transferred there, its residents expected that the incidents of crime would decrease. But there was hardly any change. Because of deteriorating law and order, resentment among its conscientious residents is growing. On the other hand, the policemen are unhappy with this officer’s style of functioning. Many are surprised by his failure to maintain law and order this time.
