45th transfer in 24 years

A painful moment for IAS officer Ashok Khemka strikes back yet again. He is once again in the news thanks to the Haryana government’s decision to transfer him from the State Transport Department to a low profile Archaelogy and Museums Department. The decision was taken on Wednesday, April 1.  According to the reports, this is Khemka’s 45^th transfer in his 24 years of service.

On hearing this story, a general question that arises on every reader’s mind is what did he do to earn another transfer! According to NDTV, Khemka reportedly had a disagreement with state Transport Minister Ram Bilas Sharma over an order given by Khemka to penalise overloaded vehicles. A report in Times Of India added that Khemka had denied fitness certificates to over-sized trucks and vehicles which caused a strike in Haryana in January. 

The report adds that Khemka’s stance that the vehicle rules should be strictly implemented irked the transporter’s lobby. Khemka had been last posted in November 2014 as Transport Commissioner and Secretary has now been transferred and given the dual charge of Sectretary and Director General, Archaelogy and Museums department.

                  

On an earlier note, Khemka had also shot to limelight soon after he cancelled a Rs 58 crore land deal between Robert Vadra, son-in-law of Congress President Sonia Gandhi, with reality business giant DLF in 2012. 

The then Congress government in Haryana filed a chargesheet against Khemka. Soon after, the BJP government took charge at the centre, the Civil Services Board approved a central deputation for Khemka. He also reported that he was facing death threats for taking on Vadra. 1991 batch Haryana cadre IAS officer Khemka has worked in the Civil Services for over 24 years with over 45 postings. On a Twitter post, Khemka wrote, ‘Tried hard to address corruption and bring reforms in Transport despite severe limitations and entrenched interests. Moment is truly painful’.

                

However, Haryana government has dismissed the allegation that it was targeting Khemka and has called it a routine decision. It should be noted that nine other officers such as Ram Niwas, Vijai Vardhan, Sumita Mishra, Chander Prakash and others has also been transferred by the Haryana government. Whether India is losing on its honest officers is indeed a thought to be pondered upon right now. 

Sohini Majumder
Msc.Media || PG:1