SHILLONG: The request of a 25-year-old orderly peon, who had alleged harassment by the Director of Soil and Water Conservation Department, to put on hold her transfer order fell on deaf ears as no action was taken on Tuesday to cancel it.
The woman had alleged that the director, D. Langstieh, withheld her salary for six months and transferred her to Byrnihat in Ri Bhoi because she refused to stay in his residence at night.
In a letter to the Principal Secretary and the Under Secretary of the Department, the woman had narrated her plight but no action was taken to cancel her transfer order.
Speaking to media persons on Tuesday, she said, “I will leave for Byrnihat in a day or two. Prior to joining duty in Ri Bhoi, I was asked to produce my last pay certificate (LPC) which was not in my possession due to the pending salary.”
The woman said she went to the treasury office where she was informed that it has received a letter from the directorate on Monday to release her pending salary. She added that even the treasury office was surprised that she was transferred without paying her salary. As per order, an employee cannot be transferred without payment of salary. She added that she was given two days’ time to get the LPC certificate.
“Only because I refused to bow down to his demands of staying in his residence, he transferred me to Byrnihat. There is no accommodation in Byrnihat,” she said.
Refuting the allegations of the director who termed her as ‘irregular’, she said, “I never get the opportunity to go to the office and sign the register since I am stationed at the director’s residence.” The orderly peon went on to allege that there is no attendance register at his residence which is why he got an advantage to declare her as irregular. Meanwhile, Principal Secretary, Soil and Water Conservation department, R.M. Mishra said her complaint was referred to the secretary (soil and water conservation), M.R. Synrem.
A reply was sought from the director and the findings were submitted by Synrem to Mishra.
Terming the matter as serious, Mishra said, “The Government is taking appropriate measures.” He refused to divulge detail as to whether the transfer order will be cancelled or action will be taken against the director.“We will be fair and effective in dealing with it. Any complaint should be looked into to check the veracity of the facts and to act as per law,” he said.He said the Minister of Soil and Water Conservation will be briefed on the matter.
