JOIN USAnti-Corruption Bureau gets complaint against IAS officer
A complaint has been filed with the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) against IAS officer Amita Prasad in connection with the irregularities at the Administrative Training Institute (ATI) in Mysuru. The complainant, retired Wing Commander G B Atri, stated that though a high-level enquiry by the additional chief secretary was pending for the past 18 months, Prasad was posted on deputation to Government of India as a joint secretary.
Based on a complaint about the irregularities, the then chief secretary Kaushik Mukherjee (on July 17, 2014) had asked former Director General (DG) of ATI Rashmi Mahesh for a report. Subsequently, Rashmi sent a detailed report to the Chief Secretary about irregularities when Amita Prasad was the DG of ATI.
“On October 20, 2014, Kaushik Mukherjee had ordered an enquiry against Amita Prasad. The order stated that the enquiry would be conducted by Additional Chief Secretary (RDPR). However, the next day, October 21 Amita Prasad was posted on deputation to the Union Water Resources ministry and Ganga Cleaning project. It is an irony that instead of facing the probe ordered by the government, she was elevated to the post of a joint secretary in the central government. This is nothing but a fraud committed against the people of Karnataka. There is a serious effort to dilute the case and bury the probe to save this IAS officer,” Atri said.
The complaint has requested the ACB to hold investigation based on the report submitted by Rashmi Mahesh on the irregularities. The complaint has attached the copies of the report and subsequent communication relating to the order of enquiry and clearing of the file pertaining to Amita Prasad’s elevation as joint secretary at the Centre.
“The enquiry ordered by the state government is pending for the past 18 months. Hence, I have no option, but to request the ACB that all charges of corruption against Amita Prasad be investigated under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act,” Atri said. The complaint was submitted to the DySP, the designated officer of the ACB in the City.
Plaint before Upalokayukta
Member of Legislative Council G Madhusudan had filed a complaint against Amita Prasad with Upalokayukta Justice Subhash B Adi. The Upalokayukta had taken up the complaint and was contemplating to direct an outside agency to carry out an audit of the ATI since the complaint mentioned misappropriation of around Rs 100 crore. However, before Upalokayukta could take any action, the Congress legislators submitted a petition to the Assembly Speaker, seeking removal of Justice Adi as Upalokayukta.