Government’s decision to transfer R K Jerath to Revenue has left tongues wagging
During a recent cabinet meeting the state government issued a “Tughlaq Shahi” order. It ordered the posting of a senior IAS officer R K Jerath as new Financial Commissioner (Revenue). Jerath was till then Director General Institute of Management and Public Administration (IMPA). He infact swapped the position with another IAS officer Pramod Jain. Government’s decision to transfer Jerath to Revenue has left tongues wagging as he is at the fag end of his retirement.
His is due to reach superannuation in April this year. For any one within and outside the administration it is difficult to understand what prompted government to shift him to a vitally important position just for three months, which generally are used by officers to prepare their papers of retirement. How can an officer deliver in an important position of Financial Commissioner (Revenue) for just three months? Normally, it takes an officer at least three months to understand the functioning of the department and then he or she starts implementing his or her own ideas. So what was the exigency to disturb him at his IMPA position and why Pramod Jan was unceremoniously shifted from Revenue? If at all it was completely unavoidable for government to show door to Jain, in that case Jerath could have been given the softer posting where he could prepare for his retirement. Its Jain’s second tenure at IMPA. Unfortunately the posting of any senior officer to IMPA has always been seen as a punishment and the officers and employees at IMPA have taken exception to the fact that it is being considered as a dumping ground. The officers who head the IMPA may not get an opportunity to earn through corrupt practices but otherwise also it is not a bad choice for any senior officer who goes as its head. One that he gets 25 percent as deputation allowance as IMPA is an autonomous body and second that any officer of capability can make it as the real institute of academic excellence. In past officers such as S S Blorea, Iqbal Khanday and S L Bhat have changed the face of IMPA and used it as the best seat of training for officers. But the recent change has put government in the dock as it seriously lacks application of mind and wisdom in choosing right people for right jobs. The government has made a joke of transfers and postings at the highest level by issuing such an order. It should do enough ground work before any such move is put before the cabinet so that the functioning of the government does not become a laughing stock before the people.