Andrews has been charged with not clearing files in Urban Development Department in the stipulated time
BENGALURU:
On the grounds of ‘failing to dispose of files’, the Karnataka government has suspended Elisha Andrews (KAS, Senior Rank), Deputy Secretary to Government-III, Urban Development Department (UDD). An order to the effect was issued on Thursday evening.
Andrews is president of the Karnataka Administrative Service Officer’s Association.
The order issued by DPAR mentioned that the UDD Additional Chief Secretary has referred to a news report published in Kannada newspaper ‘Prajavani’, pertaining to engineers’ promotion, in which Rs 4.5 crore was allegedly demanded. Further, a complaint has also been made to the Chief Minister.
‘Delay on files’
As per the government order, Elisha Andrews, who is working in the capacity of Deputy Secretary to the government, is accused and appears to have behaved inappropriately with government employees. “Although the officer has been consistently given directions to dispose of files in the stipulated time period, no action has been taken to dispose of the directions and carry out the disposal as expected. Against this backdrop, it is seen that the officer has failed to comply with the provisions of Rule 3 (1) of the Karnataka Civil Service Rules 1966,” the order reads.
Moreover, the accused officer has not denied the allegation so far. Against this backdrop, the Urban Development Department has initiated departmental inquiries, further demanding the officer’s immediate suspension as he may interfere with departmental inquiries and influence witnesses, the order reads.
As per the order, the proposal of the Urban Development Department was closely reviewed by DPAR and Elisha Andrews was found guilty for not disposing of files in the stipulated time. The order adds that he has been asked not to leave station without prior approval from the state government.
