Telangana: Heads may roll in various city departments over corruption
HYDERABAD: The twin cities may witness large-scale suspension and transfer of officials working in line departments following allegations of corruption and lack of concern in carrying out works assigned to them. The government has asked a top bureaucrat to prepare a list of such officials, so that action could be initiated against them.
What has irked the government is that movement of files remains slow and there has been delay in several works. There has been no decrease in level of corruption even though everything has been made online.
Following this, the top bureaucrat held a meeting with senior officials and reviewed the progress of works. According to highly placed sources, it came to his notice that no progress has been seen in certain key works since two years. The faulty plan of action adopted by several city departments has given scope for high-level corruption.
Further, officials who are in-charge of works have been disowning responsibilities citing the Covid-19 pandemic for over a year. Due to apathy of officials, several city departments have not become self-sustainable despite being given several opportunities.
Sources said the bureaucrat has sought a written explanation from officials and warned them of suspension if the works that are to be executed by them are further delayed. He also warned them that their salaries will be deducted if works are not completed on time. If nothing works to ensure smooth functioning of civic bodies, the state government will transfer or suspend the officials.
Officials at the receiving end are, however, claiming that the government is now trying to act tough through its top officials only to cover up its political failures. They maintain that despite implementing development works, political leaders, including ministers, MLAs and others, have been taking officials to task, issuing memos and even suspending them.
A top official, requesting anonymity, said: "The state government has asked for a list of officials who have been facing allegations. In all probability, these officials will be transferred to other municipalities and corporations. In addition, lower-rung officials will be suspended on the spot in case of negligence”.
