SHILLONG: Two city-based civil societies are turning the heat on the government to suspend a bureaucrat for “breaching service rules” by attending a political meeting.
The Civil Society Women’s Organisation (CSWO) and the Thma U Rangli Juki (TUR) have asked the State Government to conduct an independent inquiry into the conduct of HM Shangpliang, who is in charge of several departments, for misusing his official position.
A video clip circulated recently showed the IAS officer taking part in a Congress meeting at Lawbah in Mawsynram where he was reportedly seen praising the party.
Shangpliang holds the posts of Secretary, GAD, Director, Social Welfare, Secretary to the Chief Adviser to the Government and Mission Director, National Health Mission and Megha Health Insurance Scheme.
The official is yet to resign from his posts though he is preparing to contest on Congress ticket.
The meeting was held at Lawbah village on July 8 in the house of Anabel Hynniewta under the chairmanship of Khelor Kharnaior, president, Mawsynram Block Congress Committee.
In the video clip, Shangpliang was seen congratulating the newly elected office bearers of the party’s Lawbah unit.
In a memorandum submitted to the Principal Secretary of Personnel (R & B) Department, CSWO and TUR alleged that the government official violated Service Rules (3A), 3(2A) and 5 of the All India Service (Conduct) Rules, 1968, as amended for serving administrative services officer.
“He has been calling and attending political meetings while also indulging in politically partisan diversion of government schemes and funding to people to secure their political support,” the memorandum added.
The NGOs said Shangpliang should be immediately suspended pending completion of the inquiry. They also asked the government to withdraw all benefits, including pension, to Shangpliang.
BJP too has also criticised the government’s “lack of control”.
“HM Shangpliang is a habitual delinquent of government rules and BJP State leadership demands stern action by way of removing him from his present position pending departmental proceedings. Any attempt to protect the officer from his endeavour will persuade the State BJP to take recourse with the appropriate authority in the Government of India,” said J.A Lyngdoh, State Vice President of BJP, in a statement.
