|
Ighad
just taken over as District Collector and
I was a little
uncomfortable and rather embarrassed with the elaborate
receptions I was getting wherever I
went on my regular tours. I did not interfere because I was told
that was the age-old tradition in the district.
 A
formal though not very elaborate and rather rickety stage would
be set up where local leaders of all hues would offer me
garlands. Local school children would sing welcome songs. The
local leaders would then make speeches outlining the problems of
the area and pinning all their hopes on me solving some of those
issues.
It was good to get acquainted with the
local problems but the whole thing looked a bit too structured
to me. It came in the way of my inspecting the work being done
by my local offices and it obstructed my spontaneous
interactions with the people at random to get the real picture
of the region. So, I developed a via media. I would go one day
ahead of the formal reception and complete my work before
attending the function. This also enabled me to respond
adequately in my speech to the demands being put forward by the
local leaders.
About six months into my posting there, I
was sitting in my office in the collectorate when I received a
visiting card of one of the prominent MPs from the District. I
called him in and we got chatting about the problems of his
constituency. He said everything was fine but there was one
Tahsildar who was obstructing the development work in his
constituency. “Could you please transfer him outside my
constituency, sir?” he asked.
I took down the particulars and promised
him that I would look into his grievance. I sent for the
Tahsildar and when he met me, I told him point blank that the MP
wanted him transferred outside his constituency. The Tahsildar
remained calm and quiet, standing in front me with folded hands.
Not an expression changed on his face. When I repeated what the
MP had said, he said it was fine and that I could transfer him
wherever I wanted.
I was not satisfied with the response
because, normally, people at that level resisted transfers
because of family problems etc. I thought there must be
something else and I wanted to know what it was. After my
prodding, he opened up just a little bit and said he just had a
little misunderstanding with the MP. On my insisting that he
spell out what the misunderstanding was, he came out with his
story.
“Sir, the MP invites and arranges
receptions for seniors officers like you and state level
political leaders. For every such function he collects Rs.5000/-
each from government officers in his constituency. He spends
some money and keeps the rest. When you were coming last month
to my tahsil, I told him that I would make the arrangements like
offering garlands etc. myself and would not pay him any money.
He got very angry and told me that he would get me transferred
to a place at least a hundred kilometers away. Sir, I know there
would be political pressures on you and I do not want to make it
difficult for you. Please transfer wherever you think proper.” |
