Take away all IAS officers, we can do with our own: Samajwadi Party to Centre

Mangalore Today News Network

Lucknow, Aug 5, 2013: ’Recall all IAS officers from Uttar Pradesh, we can do with our own’ - the state’s ruling Samajwadi Party lashed out on Monday, in a vitriolic attack at the Centre for intervening on behalf of suspended IAS officer Durga Shakti Nagpal.

Amid a deepening political row over the officer, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav questioned the outcry over Ms Nagpal’s suspension. "IAS officers who move freely today used to take off their shoes before meeting (former chief minister and BSP leader) Mayawati. Several officers were also suspended during Mayawati’s tenure."

The Centre had sent three letters asking the Akhilesh Yadav government for a report on the 28-year-old officer’s suspension, after Sonia Gandhi’s letter to the Prime Minister Saturday asking him to ensure that the officer was not "unfairly treated".

Durga Shakti Nagpal, a 2009-batch IAS officer, had been removed on July 27 after she ordered the demolition of the wall of a mosque built illegally on government land.  Her supporters allege she was victimized for taking on UP’s illegal sand mining mafia, which enjoys political support.

After a third letter from the Centre on Sunday, the defiant state government slapped a chargesheet on the officer accusing her of lacking administrative acumen and foresight and risking communal harmony during the holy month of Ramzan.

The state sent the chargesheet late last night to the Centre, with a letter standing by its action. "If officers make mistakes, they are punished, like children are in school. This is how a government runs," reiterated the Chief Minister.

Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav backed son Akhilesh. "If the government had not taken a decision it would have been a problem."

Earlier, the Prime Minister had said "there are rules and rules will be followed".
 
The SP had reacted sharply to Sonia Gandhi’s letter, asking why the Congress chief hadn’t written a similar letter when senior IAS officer Ashok Khemka was shunted out in Haryana after he alleged irregularities in land deals involving her son-in-law, Robert Vadra.

But union minister Narayanasamy said: "Khemka’s case is different."

The war of words signals trouble for the Centre’s Food Security Bill, with Akhilesh Yadav’s  Samajwadi Party threatening to vote against the flagship measure over the controversy.