Your duty to protect officials, R Ashoka tells chief secretary

Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka on Friday asked Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh to ensure government officials and employees work in a conducive atmosphere without political pressure or interference. 

Shalini met Ashok in his chamber at Vidhana Soudha and received a petition from him. 

The petition lists at least nine instances where government employees came under political pressure and either died by suicide or lodged complaints. 

The latest case mentioned by Ashoka was that of KAS officer Amrutha Gowda who was threatened and abused by Congress leader Rajiv Gowda in Chikkaballapura. The Congress has issued a show-cause notice to Gowda. 

“I’ve asked the chief secretary to take strict action against those who abuse and attempt to assault officials,” Ashoka said. “I told her that it is her duty to protect officials.” 

Ashoka charged that many officials had died by suicide in the last two years. “Congress goons have turned government officials into party offices,” he said. “If this continues, there will be no protection for officials.” 

Ashoka also pointed out that no action had been taken against culprits who were responsible for the deaths of police sub-inspector Parashuram, second division assistant Rudranna, librarian Bhagyavati among other instances of government employees facing external pressures. 

On Gowda not being arrested till date, Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy said: “Let’s see what the government and chief secretary do. Is it a rubber-stamp chief secretary or one who protects officials? I’ve already spoken to the chief secretary. Let’s see what happens.”