Only attending statutory meetings due to fear of security: IAS officers
NEW DELHI: The association of IAS officers in the Delhi administration on Sunday asserted that there is a difference between routine meetings and the statutory meeting and all the Delhi government IAS officials are attending the latter.
In an unprecedented statement at the Press Club here, the association accepted that the due to lack of confidence on the AAP after the alleged attack on Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash, they took the decision of not attending the routine meetings.
"Routine meetings and statutory meetings are different. We attend the latter," said Delhi Revenue Secretary Manisha Saxena, adding, "We have no confidence. No one has reached out to us to boost our confidence".
The officers also called the allegations of them being on strike "completely false and baseless."
"We are not on strike. We are attending all meetings, doing all our work," Saxena, the IAS Association Secretary, added.
She further said that they only skip meetings wherein they feel their "safety" and "self-respect" are at risk. "We are attending meetings, all departments are doing their work. We are sometimes also working on holidays," said Saxena.
With respect to last week's unattended meeting called by Delhi Environment minister Imran Hussain, the IAS officers said it was called on "very short notice".
"The Environment Secretary could not reschedule his pre-scheduled meetings... he is also responsible for other departments," an officer said at the press conference.
The officers denied claims by Aam Aadmi Party that they were toeing the line of the BJP-led central government and Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal.
"We are not working on anyone's behest, please communicate this. Camera recordings cannot show our mental anguish," Saxena added. All IAS officers in Delhi have maintained the same stance since the alleged attack on Delhi Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash on February 19, when he had gone to attend a meeting at the Chief Minister's residence.
While two AAP MLAs were arrested for the assault on Prakash, Delhi Police are yet to conclude their investigation. Daring the police to file a charge sheet, AAP has claimed that the allegation is fabricated.
The IAS officers also denied the AAP-led government's allegation that work was suffering at mohalla clinics – a project that earned praise abroad. Overall, 164 clinics are operational across the Capital, with 33 sites ready for possession for construction of more clinics. An officer said that "all officers participate in improving services for Delhi."
