By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: In Meg-halaya, if it’s not the NGOs then it’s politicians who are a hindrance to any move towards better governance. The report regarding attempts to use political influence in the appointment of Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills has not gone down too well with the state bureaucracy.
Many senior IAS officers have voiced their concern on the tendency to communalise the civil services and said they are not sure whether the competency of an officer should be judged by his commitment or by his community.
This debate emerged after a section of MLAs from East Khasi Hills expressed their resentment over the appointment of West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Sanjay Goyal as the DC of the district.
The MLAs felt that the appointment of an officer who is both senior in rank and is also a local would be much better as he would have better understanding of the ground situation and also communicate better with the local populace.
Reacting to the news item, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), P Naik said, “I personally do not agree with the argument that a local officer can handle a given situation and also understand the ground realities better just because he understands the local dialect. A good and competent officer whether local or non-local has the capacity to handle any situation,” Naik told The Shillong Times on Monday.
He further said that there are certain conditions in the posting of an officer at the time of election and this has to be strictly adhered to.
An officer who hails from the district cannot occupy the post of Deputy Commissioner in that district, Naik said while adding that an officer who has completed more than three years cannot remain in the same post.
He also said that reshuffling of officers is part and parcel of the functioning of the Government.
‘It is not justified to demean an officer without seeing his performance. However, if an officer fails to performs then he may be removed,” the CEO said.
Meanwhile Chief Secretary WMS Pariat while speaking to the Shillong Times said it is the prerogative of the Chief Secretary to appoint officers in any capacity particularly in the run up to the election year. Mr Pariat said political interference in the appointment of officers is uncalled for.
When contacted, Mr Sanjay Goyal, the newly appointed DC East Khasi Hills who is expected to join his post after January 26, said he was hurt by the reference to him being a non-local. “After being allocated the Assam-Meghalaya cadre and coming 2000 kms away from home, I have considered Meghalaya my new home and given it my best. It is sad that people have not accepted me as yet just because I am a non-local,” Goyal said. He however said he would continue to serve the State and the people with dedication.