Peeved over Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's remark allegedly against a senior state bureaucrat, at least eight service unions including the Odisha IAS Officer Association today appealed to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to ensure that such incidents do not recur.
The Opposition BJP, however, alleged that the employees associations' complaint against Pradhan was part of a "big conspiracy" against the Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister.
"It is a false allegation against the Union Minister. The employees unions are being instructed and pressurised to make such complaint against Pradhan," state BJP general secretary Prithiwraj Harichandan told reporters here.
At least eight employees unions have lodged complaint against a specific Union Minister who allegedly behaved in a rude manner to officers, an official statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said.
The Odisha IAS Officer Association was the first to make the complain against Pradhan.
The incident happened yesterday when Pradhan attended the inauguration of the National Data Centre here, along with Union IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. Odisha IT Secretary and senior IAS officer Ashok Meena were also present at the same meeting.
"The incident took place on 28.05.18 at the inauguration of the National Data Centre of NIC, Bhubaneswar, wherein Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister personally targeted a senior IAS officer of the state government, who was attending the function on invitation," the association said in the memorandum submitted to the chief minister.
Claiming that Pradhan took the name of the IAS officer at least thrice during the meeting, IAS association secretary Vishal Dev said, "The remark is uncalled for and not welcome. We have registered a protest to such remark."
Pradhan allegedly made the "objectionable" remarks while he was speaking on the proposed electronics manufacturing hub here.
The IAS Officers Association was specially annoyed over Pradhan's remark that, "No work can be done without the state government. But that does not mean the name of a person will be replaced by the name of another person in the digital media. Meena Sahib, don't do this."
Pradhan took Ashok Meena's name on another issue and suggested him to take up the matter with "higher ups" on the Digital India and referred to the CMO.
The state BJP leaders often make allegations against a particular officer in the CMO, who allegedly takes all decision in the government.
"We are also requesting him (Pradhan) to support so that more number of investors come in manufacturing sector," Meena told reporters.
The memorandum said harmonious relationship between the political executives and the permanent executives has existed since Independence and is one of the greatest strength of democracy.
"However, recent episodes in Odisha and other parts of the country wherein officers, while discharging their professional duties, have been personally attacked by senior members of political executive which is a direct attempt to defy the Constitutional values.
"The IAS Association of Odisha strongly condemns such incidents and stand by all the state government employees facing such situation ... We appeal to the Hon'ble Chief Minister to take up the matter at the appropriate level so that such incidents are not repeated in future," it said.
The ruling BJD too has strongly criticised Pradhan's remark. "Giving such remarks against officers is condemnable," said BJD spokesman Susmit Patra.
In February this year, a group of BJP activists had attacked the residence of an IAS officer, who is the chief minister's private secretary.
OPCC vice-president Naba Das said "It is unfortunate that objectionable remarks are being made against officers."
The employees unions which lodged the complaint against Pradhan are: Odisha Administrative Service, Odisha Financial Service, Odisha Police Service, Odisha Revenue Service, Odisha Information Service, Odisha Employees, Odisha Secretariat Service and Odisha Driver Service.
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