KATHMANDU, April 7: One of the four priorities of the current Baburam Bhattarai-led government is ´good governance´. Ironically, some ministries have been openly rewarding ´tainted´ officials.
The Ministry of General Administration (MoGA) has rewarded eight officials, who were involved in the preparation and approval of the transfer list of 1,809 civil servants. The controversial transfer list was prepared by section officers and subsequently approved by the under-secretary and joint-secretary at the ministry.
A four-member probe committee headed by former Secretary of MoGA Dharanidhar Khatiwada had recommended to the government to take action against the officials involved in preparing and approving the transfer list after the probe committee found that the transfers violated the existing Civil Service Act (CSA).
The committee had found serious irregularities in the transfers.
According to a member of the probe committee, the officials responsible for such controversial transfers have been appointed as local development officers (LDOs). "Those who were supposed to face departmental action as per our recommendations have been appointed LDOs," complained a member of the probe committee. The post of LDO is regarded highly lucrative.
The government on January 18 had formed the probe committee following widespread protests by various trade unions against the controversial transfers.
Officials said they issued transfer letters to 1,469 of the total 1,809 employees. Police personnel were deployed outside the MoGA due to fears that the transferred employees would resort to protests. "Amid tight security the MoGA has issued transfer letters to 1,469 civil servants by Wednesday," said an official on condition of anonymity.
Talking to Republica, Spokesperson for MoGA Kewal Prasad Bhandari said the ministry has canceled transfers of 336 government employees.
Similarly, transfer decisions of 166 officials have been rectified on the recommendation of the probe committee. The names of transferred officials, offices and their personal details were rectified as they were incorrect.
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