BHOPAL: IAS officer Lokesh Kumar Jangid has courted a fresh controversy. He made a disputed statement on Whatapps group of the IAS Association after being removed from the post of collector of Barwani.
Besides that, Jangid also made viral a taped conversation of principal secretary (personnel) Deepti Mukherjee Gaud. A notice has been issued to him seeking an explanation for his act. Jangid has, however, said that he had neither blown the lid off any personal conversations nor made any taped chats viral.
Jangid said that he received a phone call from the General Administration Department (GAD) that madam Mukherjee told he had been transferred to Bhopal.
The GAD asked him to join his new place of posting.
Jangid further said that when his friends had wanted to know whether he was transferred, he had sent the audio to his four colleagues as personal message.
There was nothing confidential in the audio that he had leaked, nor, had he let out any secrecy by violating professional ethics.
Before his talks over phone, his transfer order had been issued and posted to the GAD website, Jangid said, adding that he was asked to reply to the notice within seven days and he would do that.
Ex-minister comes out in support
Former minister Bala Bachchan has supported Lokesh Kumar Jangid. He said that the allegations made by Jangid were correct. The collector concerned, against whom the allegations were made, does not listen to anyone and does not give two hoots even to in charge minister Prem Singh Patel, Bachchan said.
The collector thinks he can keep anyone he likes and shift anybody he dislikes, he said.
Besides Bachchan, peopleís representatives in the district are in support of Jangid.
Shahdol video put on status
IAS officer Lokesh Jangid has put on his status a three-year-old video in which BJP leaders are seen protesting against his removal from Shahdol. Jangid was sub-divisional magistrate there. He was removed, since he was not on good terms with the then collector Naresh Pal. At that time, chairman of the district Panchayat demonstrated in favour of Jangid. In his status, he has written: ìImandari aisa mahenga shauk hein kisi ki bute ki baat nahin hein (Honesty is such a costly hobby only few can maintain it).î
He further writes: Imandari tera kirdar hein to khudkushi kar lein; siasi daur ko to ji hujuri ki zarurat hein (If honesty is part of your life, commit suicide; rulers need a yes man.).
