In mafia's grip

Transfers, postings and disciplinary actions against officials are the prerogative of the executive but it has to be exercised judiciously and in public interest. But this norm is violated flagrantly and commonly by all governments, both at the Centre and in the states.

The transfer and subsequent suspension by the UP government of IAS officer, Durga Shakti Nagpal, who, as sub-divisional magistrate of a district, had taken strict action against illegal sand mining, is the latest of such questionable actions. The UP IAS Officers’ Association and the public have protested against the action, which is considered to have been influenced by the sand mafia, and demanded its revocation.

The young officer had taken on mining contractors who had operated with impunity  in the Greater Noida area,  by confiscating illegally transported sand and filing cases.  Rampant and widespread  illegal mining in the Yamuna and Hindon river beds has posed a serious threat to environment. The sand mafia is said to have political links with the state’s Akhilesh Yadav government and the action against the officer is considered to be a punishment for not co-operating with the violators of the law.

The government’s justification for the action is not convincing. It has said that the officer was suspended for disturbing communal peace by ordering  the demolition of the outer wall of a place of worship. This sounded only like an excuse which  will also bring some political gain for the government. In any case there was no inquiry,  and the suspension was arbitrary.

The message that has gone out is that any honest and conscientious officer, who upholds the law and goes against vested interests, stands the risk of punishment and humiliation.
Curbing sand mining is not only a matter of law but of protecting environment too. Sand is a depleting resource, created by hundreds of years of nature’s activity, and its unchecked exploitation will pose a danger to rivers, with serious consequences for human life too. There is the need to find alternatives  for the use of sand in construction industry.

Sand mafia controls the government, police and administration not only in UP but in many other states. There are rules of tenures of government officials but these are violated for personal, political and other reasons. Many  officials pay the price for upholding the law.