Probe against soil director on right track

SHILLONG: The inquiry led by a three-member committee into the alleged harassment of an orderly peon by the Director, Social and Water Conservation, D Langstieh, is in progress even as the Principal Secretary in charge of the department, R.M Mishra, assured action based on the findings of the panel.
It was on February 3 that the government appointed the three-member committee comprising women officers.
While A.D Blah from the Water Resources Department is the chairperson of the committee,   V. Papang from the Soil and Water Conservation Department and S. Kharpuli are members.
Mishra told reporters on Tuesday that the government was committed to act based on the findings of the impartial probe committee.
“No time frame has been given to the committee though we want the report to be ready at the earliest,” the official said.
The peon had alleged that Langstieh tasked her with non-official work and insisted that she stayed at his residence at night. When she refused, he withheld her salary and later transferred her to Byrnihat.
Mishra said the committee will also examine whether it was justified to transfer the peon.
Earlier, denying all allegations of harassment, Langstieh had said during the job interview, all candidates were informed about the nature of duty of an orderly peon and that the complainant had also readily agreed.