The extent to which corruption has made its inroads in Indian governance is not hidden from anyone. But if some officers are corrupt in the system, then there are some officers who have been doing their work with utmost sincerity, sticking to their ideals despite all odds. They are neither afraid of threats from politicians or the elites who advocate for them, nor of unnecessary transfers.
They know that if you are honest, nothing can harm you. Today we are introducing you to five such bureaucrats, who kept fighting injustice and corruption without fear, and their presence in the system till now tells that some good officers are also few. can bring change in the country.
1. Poonam Malakondaiya, Andhra Pradesh
Poonam Malakondaiah is an exceptional IAS officer who fought in her own way against nepotism, fundamentalism and apathetic system. A low-profile IAS officer of 1988 batch, Poonam proved to be a tough officer for politicians, businessmen and their advocates who had become accustomed to making officers work under pressure.
Even seven transfers in six years failed to stop him. He fought against corruption in every department, from agriculture to transport, education, civil supplies. Poonam, who speaks clearly, has been an arrogant and passionate officer. He had dragged the multinational seed company, Monsanto, to the MRTP commission while serving as agriculture commissioner and forced him to reduce the price of Bt cotton seeds.
2. Manoj Nath, Bihar
Manoj Nath was selected for the Indian Police Service (IPS) at the age of just 20. He took the examination in the year 1973, in which he secured third position in the country and first in Bihar. 39 years later, when the topper retired from Bihar Police in 2012, he was one of the longest-serving IPS officers who was never given a significant post in his entire career.
When it came to the appointment of the Director General of Police (DGP), this honest officer did not fit into any political ideology. In 1980, as Bokaro SP, he had arrested the then Bokaro Steel MD in a corruption case. It had been only four months since he came to that office, but he was transferred within 24 hours of the incident. For not acting on the behest of politicians, he had to face more than 40 transfers in his career spanning 39 years.
3. G R Khairnar, Maharashtra
Govind Ragho Khairnar is a former Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officer who continued to perform his duties despite political opposition. Today he is known for his honesty and fearlessness (Most Honest Indian Officers). While holding the post of Deputy Municipal Commissioner, he systematically targeted illegal encroachments across the city, due to which he was also suspended. He was prosecuted for disobeying orders and committing excesses.
But the High Court, acquitting him of these charges, ordered his reinstatement to the post of Deputy Commissioner. Khairnar continued his fight against the land mafia even after this and got the public land free from encroachment. While doing this, he got hurt many times, but he did not lose his courage. The local people honored him with the title of ‘One Man Demolition Army’. He also wrote his autobiography ‘Ekaki Junj’ (The Lonely Fight) in Marathi during his suspension from BMC.
4. Samit Sharma, Rajasthan
In 2009, when Samit Sharma was transferred, more than 12,000 government employees in Rajasthan’s Chittorgarh district went on mass leave to protest an order. From this incident, Sumit’s honesty (Most Honest Indian Officers) and way of working can be easily gauged. The reason for the removal of District Collector Samit Sharma was simply because he refused to sack an LDC (Junior Divisional Clerk) (as ordered by an official circular).
In fact, this clerk did not stand up in his honor when he came to the office of a local MLA. Despite protests, Samit Sharma was transferred, but even this transfer did not stop him from doing this good work. Before taking the IAS exam, Samit was a doctor and practiced for five years. Dr. Sharma used his experience to drive the Generic Medicines project (which provides affordable health care, medicine and surgical items to the poor) in Rajasthan.
5. Rajni Sekri Sibal, Haryana
Rajni Sekri Sibal, an IAS officer of Haryana cadre, was tried to be bribed by political forces to change the results of 3200 Junior Basic Training (JBT) teachers in 1999-2000. Rajni not only refused to accept the bribe but also stood firmly against it. Then, when his transfer was ordered, he wrapped the steel almirah inside which the actual list of results was kept, with four meters of cloth and bandages. Which made it impossible for anyone to open the cupboard and tamper with the list.
After this, five officers were asked to sign the strips at different places. The key was kept in an envelope, sealed and then hidden. As a result, the list could not be tampered with. The task of investigating this big scam (now known as JBT recruitment scam) that caught everyone’s attention was entrusted to the CBI. Many big names of the political world were associated with it.
Original article: Sanchari Pal
Editing: Archana Dubey
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