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The appointment of senior IAS officer Sanjay Gupta as the regular Chief Secretary of Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday triggered sharp political reactions, with the BJP and CPI(M) accusing the state government of protecting tainted officials and compromising administrative integrity.
Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur alleged that Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu had become "completely compromised" before corrupt officials and was functioning like a "puppet in the hands of bureaucrats." In a statement issued from Mandi, Thakur questioned the government's decision to regularise Sanjay Gupta's appointment despite the matter being under judicial scrutiny in the Himachal Pradesh High Court through a public interest litigation. He alleged that corruption-related FIRs and references linked to the Chester Hills benami property case had already raised serious concerns, yet the government chose to shield the officer instead of initiating action. "The government's move raises serious questions over its intent. It appears that some influential people in the ruling establishment are dependent on such officers because they possess sensitive information," Thakur alleged. The BJP leader further claimed that the state government was attempting to reward officers facing corruption allegations through service extensions and post-retirement appointments. At the same time, Thakur praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over decisions linked to the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan following "Operation Sindoor." He said the Centre had approved tunnel projects worth 2,620 crore, including the proposed Chenab-Beas Link Tunnel in Lahaul and Spiti aimed at diverting surplus water from the Chandra river into the Beas basin. He also thanked voters for what he described as "massive public support" to BJP-backed candidates during the first phase of Panchayati Raj elections in Himachal Pradesh and alleged irregularities by certain administrative officers during the election process. Meanwhile, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) also strongly opposed the appointment, terming it a move that "protects corruption and weakens institutional integrity." CPI(M) Himachal Pradesh state secretary Sanjay Chauhan said the decision exposed the reality behind the government's claims of "zero tolerance against corruption." He alleged that pending FIRs, vigilance references and corruption complaints against the officer had already raised questions regarding transparency and public trust in the administration. Chauhan claimed that the appointment was intended to pave the way for a future service extension, arguing that such an extension could only be granted after a regular appointment to the post. Referring to the Chester Hills land case and alleged irregularities in procurement and transmission line allocations in HPPTCL, Chauhan said the CPI(M) had repeatedly raised concerns and submitted complaints before the relevant agencies. He further alleged that even incidents dating back to 2009, including the seizure of cash from the officer's vehicle by an investigating agency, had now come under judicial scrutiny. The CPI(M) also questioned the silence of the BJP on corruption-related issues, alleging that the lack of strong opposition reaction created an impression of tacit understanding between the ruling party and the opposition. Demanding immediate withdrawal of the May 26 office order appointing Sanjay Gupta as regular Chief Secretary, Chauhan said the CPI(M) would intensify its political and legal campaign against the decision and seek a fair and time-bound investigation into all pending allegations. Reacting separately, BJP state chief spokesperson Rakesh Jamwal accused the Congress government of turning important administrative appointments into a "mockery." Jamwal said appointing Sanjay Gupta as regular Chief Secretary for only "four to five days" before retirement reflected administrative instability and poor governance. He said Gupta had already been functioning as Acting Chief Secretary for nearly a year, and regularising his appointment just before retirement raised several questions. "The Congress government is functioning in an authoritarian manner, and decisions are being taken by exerting pressure on government officials," Jamwal alleged. He accused the government of prioritising political interests over strengthening the state's administrative structure. According to him, such short-term appointments to a key constitutional post insult the administrative system and negatively impact the morale of officers. Jamwal further said that Sanjay Gupta's appointment came at a time when various controversies and allegations against him were already in the public domain. Referring to the Chester Hills case, he alleged that serious questions had continuously been raised regarding the officer's role. He also pointed out that a petition challenging the appointment had already been filed in the High Court, alleging the existence of FIRs and issues related to vigilance clearance. "Instead of ensuring transparency and protecting the interests of the state, the Congress government has prioritised its political agenda," Jamwal said. He added that transparency in administrative decision-making had "completely vanished" during the Congress government's tenure and accused the ruling party of favouring selected individuals at every level. (ANI)
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