This is a curious case of one junior engineer of the Electricity department, RTI activist Kashinath Shetye. Over the past five years, Shetye was in the news for filing 195 cases against various individuals, including politicians and organisations. His service records show that he has availed of 459 leaves with not a single rejection. Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar assured an inquiry to ascertain violation of Central Civil Services Rules by an IPS or IAS officer, besides a probe by Anti-Corruption Branch to go into the assets of Shetye.
In the past five years there have been cases by the dozens booked against various individuals and organizations with Shetye taking the government head-on in some. Documents, minute figures, photos and even videos have been uploaded on his social networking sites including Facebook. Some were even highlighted in sections of media. It was all happening right under the nose of the BJP-led government, both under Parrikar and Parsekar. The question is why didn't the government take aim at Shetye then. What has prompted the government to break its silence and have a crack at this junior engineer five years later?
Shetye has an astounding leave record. It appears that sometimes he has exceeded 18-19 days of leave per month continuously, raising serious questions over his work as an engineer at the Electricity department. But the bigger question would be how he managed to get it sanctioned, and the biggest question why did the government keep mum knowing the facts of the Shetye case.
Ironically, Parrikar had raised the Shetye issue in 2013 with the then chief electrical engineer Nirmal Braganza, following which professional opinion was sought from advocate general Atmaram Nadkarni. The AG in his report had clearly stated that although his conduct of dragging the government to court is unbecoming of a government servant, it cannot be called misconduct. The AG had also questioned Shetye's dedication to work and said senior officials lack courage and determination to set things right. He had advised that there is nothing that stops the government and the minister concerned from taking action to reinforce the rule of law.
The Chief Minister had also noted then, that details should be sought on work allotted to him and his work performance. He had also asked for a report within one month so as to decide the future course of action. Why was there no action then? Why did the government drag its feet? Did Shetye threaten to expose those in the government?
No doubt Shetye needs to be thoroughly investigated along with those senior-level officers involved, but the government must also come up with answers on why it put a lid on the curious case of Kashinath Shetye.
In the past five years there have been cases by the dozens booked against various individuals and organizations with Shetye taking the government head-on in some. Documents, minute figures, photos and even videos have been uploaded on his social networking sites including Facebook. Some were even highlighted in sections of media. It was all happening right under the nose of the BJP-led government, both under Parrikar and Parsekar. The question is why didn't the government take aim at Shetye then. What has prompted the government to break its silence and have a crack at this junior engineer five years later?
Shetye has an astounding leave record. It appears that sometimes he has exceeded 18-19 days of leave per month continuously, raising serious questions over his work as an engineer at the Electricity department. But the bigger question would be how he managed to get it sanctioned, and the biggest question why did the government keep mum knowing the facts of the Shetye case.
Ironically, Parrikar had raised the Shetye issue in 2013 with the then chief electrical engineer Nirmal Braganza, following which professional opinion was sought from advocate general Atmaram Nadkarni. The AG in his report had clearly stated that although his conduct of dragging the government to court is unbecoming of a government servant, it cannot be called misconduct. The AG had also questioned Shetye's dedication to work and said senior officials lack courage and determination to set things right. He had advised that there is nothing that stops the government and the minister concerned from taking action to reinforce the rule of law.
The Chief Minister had also noted then, that details should be sought on work allotted to him and his work performance. He had also asked for a report within one month so as to decide the future course of action. Why was there no action then? Why did the government drag its feet? Did Shetye threaten to expose those in the government?
No doubt Shetye needs to be thoroughly investigated along with those senior-level officers involved, but the government must also come up with answers on why it put a lid on the curious case of Kashinath Shetye.
