Allegations of bribery in exchange for preferred postings have triggered a stir in administrative circles, with the Secretariat Administration Department issuing notices to more than 30 Section Officers (SOs) seeking explanations on complaints received against them. The officers have been asked to submit their replies within a stipulated timeframe, after which a decision on further action will be taken. Given the seriousness of the matter, the atmosphere in the Secretariat has heated up, with employee organisations intensifying their demand for an independent and impartial probe.
According to sources, over the past few months there has been growing chatter within the Secretariat that certain Section Officers were being posted repeatedly to key and so-called “plum” departments by bypassing the transfer policy. It is alleged that recommendations and bribes played a role in these postings. Based on these complaints, the issue was taken up at the government level, following which the Secretariat Administration Department formally initiated a process of inquiry.
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Questions over the transfer policy
As per available information, departments in the Secretariat had been classified into three categories for the purpose of transfers. The policy stipulated that employees would be posted to different categories on a rotational basis to ensure transparency and prevent prolonged tenures in a single department.
However, allegations surfaced that contrary to this policy, some Section Officers were repeatedly posted only to ‘A’ category departments. In several cases, officers were retained for years in sensitive and influential departments, raising questions over the fairness and intent of the transfer process. These concerns eventually found their way to higher levels of the administration.
Official inquiry triggered by complaints
Sources said that a written complaint regarding bribery in postings of Section Officers was submitted at a senior level in the government. Acting on this complaint, directions were issued to the Secretariat Administration Department to examine the matter and take appropriate action. Subsequently, notices were issued to the concerned officers seeking their responses to the allegations.
Departmental officials maintained that the allegations would be examined objectively and that the matter would not be closed merely on the basis of written replies. They said that after reviewing the responses, further steps could be initiated if required.
Demand for vigilance probe grows
Soon after news of the notices became public, discussions intensified among employee unions and officers’ associations within the Secretariat. Several employee leaders termed the allegations extremely serious and argued that settling the matter at the departmental level would be inappropriate.
They contended that if bribery was indeed involved in postings, it would have a direct impact on the transparency, integrity and credibility of governance. Accordingly, employee organisations have demanded that the entire episode be probed by the vigilance wing or any other independent agency to ensure that the truth comes out and strict action is taken against those found guilty.
Administration’s stand
Senior officials of the Secretariat Administration Department said that at this stage, explanations were being sought from all the concerned Section Officers. They stressed that the complaints had not been ignored and that each aspect would be examined with due seriousness.
A senior official said that if the replies were found unsatisfactory or if the inquiry brought out concrete evidence, a report would be forwarded to higher authorities and further action would follow.
Eyes on the next move
The allegations of bribery-linked postings are expected to gain further traction in the coming days. Once the process of receiving and examining replies is completed, it will become clearer how much substance there is in the charges and what course of action the administration intends to take.
For now, the issue continues to be a topic of intense discussion in the corridors of the Secretariat. All eyes remain on the administration’s next steps, as the matter is being seen not merely as a question of individual postings, but as one that concerns the transparency and credibility of the entire administrative system.
