Power delegation by overburdened Secy backfires
BHUBANESWAR: The normal functioning of an important department like Works has been severely affected as the incumbent Secretary has been assigned multiple additional charges like the Shree Jagannath Temple Authority (SJTA) Chief Administrator and the Cooperation and the Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department Secretary.
Due to the multiplicity of responsibilities of big and important departments, the overburdened Secretary is unable to make field visits and properly review the Works Departmental activities.
So, he has delegated powers to some establishment officials, who are working according to their whims and fancies and indulging in rampant corruption and nepotism. In the process the right persons are not being placed at the right places.
In an example, in a recent transfer order on September 8,2022 (FE-I-PER-0046-2021/ 12482 /W) 15 Executive Engineers were promoted to Superintendent Engineer rank. Other 15 engineers were posted in different Works Department divisions.
But what has raised many questions are some tainted and inefficient engineers have been given charge of some important and major divisions like the Bhubaneswar Division V and III , Khordha Division , Cuttack Division I, Angul, Balangir and Balliguda.
Experts having knowledge of the department questioned the action and said having an engineering background himself how can the Secretary post such inept and dishonest officials in charge of such important divisions.
Sources said some efficient engineers have been shunted out to the Roads and Buildings Department. But sycophants have been given important responsibilities. This has triggered deep resentment in the department and de-motivated many officials.
Many officials have blamed the Special Secretary Establishment for the mess which is spreading like cancer in the department and said if he is not made accountable soon the department which is presently sick would soon be in the ICU.
It is not surprising that many Government residential and official buildings, roads are in a dilapidated condition across the State even though crores of rupees are being sanctioned for their construction and maintenance.
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