NEW DELHI: The reappointment of M.K. Yadava as Special Chief Secretary in Assam has ignited a political firestorm. The opposition is up in arms against the reappointment.
Yadava, a retired Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer, faces allegations of violating the Indian Administrative Service (Cadre) Rules 1954 and DoPT’s instructions on re-employing retired All India Service officers to Senior Duty Posts. However, the main reason behind this appears to be the spotted track record of M.K. Yadava as claimed by the Congress party.
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The opposition, led by Debabrata Saikia, Leader of the Opposition in the Assam State Assembly, has vehemently opposed Yadava’s reappointment. Saikia cited concerns over Yadava’s track record, alleging significant legal infractions during his tenure. These include accusations from the National Green Tribunal regarding illegal clearance of forest lands for purposes contrary to environmental regulations. The Tribunal has initiated suo moto proceedings against Yadava, highlighting violations of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, and the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam 2023.
Furthermore, allegations raised by Rajiv Kumar Bishnoi, National Spokesperson of the Indian National Congress, have added fuel to the controversy. Bishnoi pointed to past controversies involving Yadava, including accusations of electoral malpractice and irregularities during government exams. These allegations have intensified demands for a thorough investigation into Yadava’s conduct during his various postings.
The reappointment decision by the BJP-led Assam government under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has not only faced political backlash but also legal challenges. A complaint filed in the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Karimganj, has accused forest officials, including Yadava, of criminal intimidation and coercion in villages under the Ratabari Police Station jurisdiction.
Amidst escalating criticism, the Congress party and other opposition groups have called for a high-level inquiry supervised by the High Court to probe Yadava’s tenure and the circumstances of his reappointment. They argue that procedural norms and governance ethics have been disregarded, emphasizing the need for accountability and transparency in public appointments.