Bureaucracy
DIG Suspended Over Unauthorized Thailand Trip
Agra : DIG(Deputy Inspector General) Stamps Ram Akbal Singh’s unauthorized trip to Thailand has landed him in hot water. Just days before his retirement on December 31, the Agra Division DIG (Stamps) has been suspended for traveling abroad without prior approval. The suspension order was issued by Principal Secretary of the Stamps and Registration Department, Leena Johri, and Singh has been reassigned to the Prayagraj headquarters during the suspension period.
Singh’s foreign escapades to Thailand and Nepal without official clearance had already raised eyebrows. In August 2024, he was removed from his post, prompting him to challenge the decision in the High Court, where he secured a stay. However, the controversy didn’t end there. For the past four months, a departmental inquiry had been underway, with Commissioner Ritu Maheshwari filing a complaint against him to the government.
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Adding to the turmoil, Singh reportedly failed to cooperate with the investigation. Despite repeated requests, he did not submit his passport, a crucial document for verifying foreign travel. Neither did he file a police report claiming the passport was lost, raising further suspicion.
The government has deemed his actions a violation of the Conduct Rules for Public Servants, accusing him of neglecting his official duties. An official charge sheet has been filed against him, and departmental proceedings have been recommended. During the suspension, Singh will be entitled to subsistence allowance.
The Uttar Pradesh Government Servant’s Conduct Rules, 1956, lay down detailed guidelines to ensure discipline, integrity, and ethical behavior among government employees. Violations of these rules often involve breaches related to the following areas:
- Conduct and Integrity:
- Engaging in dishonest practices, corruption, or misuse of official power and position.
- Failing to maintain high standards of integrity in official duties.
- Devotion to Duty:
- Negligence in performing official responsibilities or willful absence from duty.
- Acting in a manner that undermines the reputation of the government or hampers its efficiency.
- General Discipline:
- Disobedience to lawful orders issued by higher authorities.
- Unauthorized communication or publication of official information that could harm the state’s interest.
- Conflict of Interest:
- Undertaking private trade or business without prior authorization.
- Using government resources for personal purposes.
These rules aim to maintain a high level of professionalism and ensure that government servants adhere to ethical principles. Violations can result in disciplinary actions, including suspension, dismissal, or legal consequences.
To add fuel to the fire, allegations have surfaced that Singh, even after his suspension, has been attempting to resolve backdated cases related to stamp shortages.
This suspension just weeks before his retirement casts a shadow over a career mired in controversy and raises questions about accountability in public service.
