Bengaluru: Even as the inquiry into the alleged suicide of Nanjangud in-charge Taluk Health Officer (THO) Dr. S.R. Nagendra has begun, the Karnataka IAS Officers’ Association has said the act of lodging an FIR against Mysuru Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Prashanth Kumar Mishra (now transferred without posting) has brought down the morale of field officers and argued that such acts will deteriorate the administrative efficiency and effectiveness.
While terming the alleged suicide as unfortunate, the Association said it was unjust to hold senior officers responsible for it. Acting on a complaint from Dr. Nagendra’s father, the FIR was registered by Alanahalli Police in Mysuru against the ZP CEO under Section 306 of the IPC (abetment to suicide).
“The IAS officers on COVID-19 duty have been working non-stop. This is an unfortunate incident and nobody knows what prompted the doctor to take such a step. To blame an officer for doing his duty is not the right approach,” the Association said, urging the Government to stand by its officers who are doing their duty.
Association Secretary Pankaj Kumar Pandey said, “Holding Mishra, a 2014 batch IAS officer, responsible for the doctor’s suicide is unjust, as he was only implementing the State Government’s guidelines to contain the COVID pandemic.” Pandey is the State Health Commissioner, who is leading the battle against pandemic since mid-March. Terming Nagendra’s death as very unfortunate, Pandey said, “But to blame an (IAS) officer for doing his duty is not the right approach. The insinuations about one’s character and media trial cause irreparable damage.”
The State Government transferred Mishra from the executive post without further posting, pending inquiry into doctor’s tragic death. Mysuru Deputy Commissioner Abhiram G. Sankar is holding the CEO’s post as an additional charge till further orders.
The doctor’s family and health officials in the district alleged that Nagendra committed suicide due to alleged harassment by Mishra and work pressure to ramp up testing and meet “unreasonable” targets. “The State Government should support the hard work of all the officials at the field level. IAS officers on COVID duty have been working 24×7 without a break. A pragmatic and sensitive approach is warranted,” added Pandey.
When doctor commits suicide due to pressure from IAS officer, Doctors association protest. When IAS officer is named in FIR, IAS officer’s association resent. This is ridiculous. If the IAS officer has put in pressure, and there are audio recordings of him using foul langauge, he should be punished. In short most of these IAS officers including their office bearers need training on humanity, and human behaviour.
But then the Government puts pressure on the IAS office so the Government must be held responsible.
The officers should have also to apply his. Ind while doing their duty. It is a shame that an officer is being supported shameless association. In future what the society will consider them. Already “I am Safe Services” earned lot of bad will of the people instead of good will. It will be better if they shut their mouth and remain silent and not interfere in process of law. Media should keep an vigil eye.
That particular officer has committed a crime. One precious life is lost. FIR has been filed. Let it go thru the process. If some officers get demoralised for this, let them resign and go. People don’t need such wicked officers.