‘It’s very difficult to take effective action against corruption’
Six months after the then principal secretary, sports department, Haryana, Ashok Khemka issued a show-cause notice to IAS officer Jagdeep Singh for fraudulently claiming cash awards of Rs 60 lakh for his two children in shooting tournaments during the latter’s tenure as department director, a departmental probe has given the him clean chit. However, Khemka stands by his findings. Rajesh Moudgil spoke to Khemka over the issue:
The government has given clean chit to the IAS officer who was accused of fraud in getting cash awards of ₹60 lakh for his two children in shooting events. You suspected embezzlement. Your comments?
A. The question ought to be addressed to the sports department. I was transferred out of the department in March, 2019. However, a factual inquiry report was submitted to the chief minister on October 17, 2018. The approval of the CM was obtained on February 24, 2019. A joint show-cause notice for recovery of Rs 60 lakh was issued thereafter during my tenure.
The government says the awards were given on the basis of 1973 rules. The same rules were followed in 20,000 cases
for awards.
The amount paid was not covered under any written policy or rules of the department’s cash award policy. If there are other cases of wrongdoing as being alleged now to defend the loot, it is the duty of the present officials of the sports department to take action. One wrong never justifies another.
On the IAS officer’s role, the government says he was never a part of any committee which selected the awardees.
The modus operandi has been explained in the inquiry report.
You recommended return of the awards. What was the basis for it?
What I had recommended and the basis of my recommendation is a part of the official records of the sports department.
Do you still suspect some foul play?
A. It is very difficult to take effective action against corruption. It is easy to let go. You derive personal gains by letting go and suffer loss if you do your duty.