Nothing moves in PWD dept without bribe: ​IAS officer

That nothing happens in the government without bribe is well known but the rot has spread so far and high that even IAS officers in the secretariat are complaining that works don’t get done if they don’t bribe the officials.

IAS officer Pallavi Akurathi, joint secretary in the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms, has complained that an engineer from the Public Works Department (PWD) did not take up repairs in her residential quarters despite directions from the highest authorities.

In a letter addressed to the then PWD Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) M Lakshmi Narayana, Pallavi has not only expressed concern about the indifference of a PWD assistant engineer but goes on to explain the rot in the system.

“I am sad to submit the bitter truth that repairs of the quarters of those residents of KPWD quarters, who pay illegal money, will be attended immediately and those don’t pay... have to wait (for) years together for small repairs,” says the letter dated June 7, 2018, a copy of which is available with DH.

The engineer’s attitude did not change even after direct instructions from the additional chief secretary of PWD. “I am sad to inform you that the PWD AE Mr Girish, whom you have directed regarding the internal repairs of the quarters, did not even bother to call me... His number was switched off or he wouldn’t pick up the call,” the letter said.

When contacted, Pallavi Akruthi said she would not like to comment on the matter. Sources who gave the letter to DH said the officers’ quarters are infested with rats and require several repair works but PWD officials in charge of maintenance, have not bothered to check them.

“If this is the attitude he (PWD engineer) shows for repairs of quarters where an IAS officer is residing, that too, after being directed by the ACS, PWD, one can understand the plight of Group-B and C employees residing in these KPWD quarters,” the officer writes.

Asked about the complaint, PWD Department Additional Chief Secretary Rajneesh Goel said the issue has not come to his notice. “I will look into the matter and take necessary action,” he said.

ACS Lakshmi Narayana, who held the charge of the PWD department till June 26, said complaints against assistant engineers are forwarded to the chief engineer concerned for an internal inquiry. “In such cases, the file is opened against the official facing charges. I do not have details of the case as I was transferred four months ago,” he said.