Overheard In Bhopal: Sense And Sensibility, Scrutiny For Posting, Efficiency Pays And More | FP Photo
Collector changed
The government has carried out the long-awaited administrative changes in a district. Though it decided to reshuffle the district administration a long time back, a decision was pending. But a recent incident forced the higher-ups to speed the process for the reshuffles. The incident tarnished the government’s image. Afterwards, the administration mulled over the names of several officers to post one of them to the district as collector. But an officer got the collectorship of the district. He is the choice of the head of state. The officer was previously holding an important position in the district and earned the head of state’s accolades for his style of working. The state bureaucracy also thinks he is the most suitable candidate for the collectorship. The administration has given the charge of an important position in the district to another officer. It is clear that he will be the new divisional commissioner. The present commissioner will retire in a few months. Thus, this officer will get the command of the division. There may be some other administrative changes in the district in the coming days.
No solution
An officer, posted in an important position, is unable to solve any problem. Many people go to the department for some work. But his style of working has impressed none. Everyone – from bureaucrats to politicians – is fed up with him. Sahib has two problems. First, Sahib’s Hindi is not good. He is unable to interact with anyone for a long time even in his mother tongue. Second, he is indecisive and leaves most of the decisions to senior officers. He is in charge of important departments. The officials of both the departments are unhappy with him. There is a story behind the officers’ unhappiness. The officer, who was posted in the department before him, used to solve the problems. Thus, when others compare the present incumbent in office with his previous counterpart, they feel put out. People in the corridors of power say he is very lucky that he has no direct interaction with the head of state. Else he would have been shifted from the department a long time ago.
Officer dressed down
The head of state has recently dressed down a secretary-rank officer of a government’s priority department. He was not acquainted with the officer’s style of working. The head of state got the feedback that the department was slowly functioning. At a recent meeting, when the head of state sought information about some cases relating to the department, the officer failed to give a satisfactory reply. So, the head of state pulled him up. He also indirectly pulled up the minister of the department. The secretary was caught on the wrong foot. The officer is Honest but he is unable to manage such a big department. Similarly, the government is unhappy with the performance of another secretary-level officer. Despite being dissatisfied with their functioning, the government is managing work through them because of a shortage of officers.
Golmaal hai…
A flat bought by a senior officer has kicked up a controversy. He purchased it in the name of someone else. The apartment is part of a big project in the state capital. He used the name of the person to buy the flat through a special quota, but now he wants to get it registered in his name. The project, under which he purchased the flat, has no provisions for such transfer. Yet, the Sahib is mounting pressure on the officers behind the project to transfer the apartment to his name. He is contacting several such officers over the phone. But his problem defies any solution. The officer never solves anybody’s problems. He only stops their work in the name of rules. Now, he is putting pressure on the officers to solve his problems, violating all norms.
New innings
An about-to-retire, secretary-rank female officer is ready to play her new innings. Madam will be active on social media. She may also express her opinions through other media. The madam often expresses her opinions through social media. Her opinions on social media sparked disputes many times. Because she is in a government job, she has certain limitations in expressing her opinions. But when she retires, she will give her views on social media more forcefully. Madam disagrees with the ideology of the present government. So, she will take the ruling party to task. Some officers brought different opinions to the public after their retirement. But it is true that the issues raised by the officers against the government during their tenure of service hog the limelight. But after retirement, their opinions carry little weight.
Unhappy officer
A female officer, the senior-most of all the promoted IAS officers, is extremely unhappy about her posting. The government has transferred her for five years to an organisation considered the loop line. She has tried several times in the past two years to join another department. But her efforts fell through. She will retire in one and a half years. So, she wants to join another department, but the government is yet to accept her request. Another reason for her sadness is that she is not getting a promotion, which will reduce her pension. As the officer knows she will retire without being promoted, she is making all efforts to join another department.
