A letter between two High Ranked IAS officers after being leaked to the Media has become a matter of investigation.

“We will examine and inquire if the aforesaid letter is leaked from our office or not; this is certainly a matter of investigation” said Hari Prasad Sharma S.P. (City).

Letter of Controversy

The letter in question relates to the Budget Proposals for the Tribal Area Development. As per newspaper reports, the Commissioner, Tribal Area Development and Divisional Commissioner of Udaipur was supposed to present a proposed budget to the Chief Secretary of Tribal Area Development, for presenting it to the Chief Minister in his budget speech next year.

As per the Divisional Commissioner of Udaipur, Subodh Agarwal, this proposal was already sent to the Principal Secretary, TAD, B.K. Meena on December 5, 2012.

A letter (the one under scrutiny) was issued from the office of the Deputy Secretary, Tribal Area Development, reportedly under the directions of the Principal Secretary, B.K. Meena. The contents of the letter relates to the irresponsible behavior and attitude of the Div. Commissioner of Udaipur, Subodh Agarwal, since he allegedly, as per the letter, delayed the proposal.

On being spoken to, Subodh Agarwal specified that the proposal was sent to the Principal Secretary on 5th December.

Further, how this letter from the Deputy Secretary’s office to the Divisional Commissioner leaked is a matter of concern. This letter, instead of being faxed to the Div. Commissioner’s office, was faxed to the office of the Superintendent of Police, as there was no body available in the Div. Commissioners office, as per the Deputy Secretary, Tribal Area Development’s office.

The Deputy Secretary (TAD) has used harsh language and B.K. Meena, Principal Secretary, TAD has confirmed that the letter was written with his knowledge by the Deputy Secretary to the Divisional Commissioner Udaipur, as per information provided in the print media.

The reasons of this letter reportedly relate to an ego matter between the two senior IAS Officers.

Besides that, the matter is also related to the Police Department, which certainly marks a question about the secrecy of the most sensitive department. Hari Prasad Sharma, S.P (Udaipur City), on being spoken to, has taken cognizance of the matter and has assured a full investigation into the leakage.