Govt employees launch ‘silent protest’

BUREAUCRATS HAVE DECIDED NOT TO ATTEND ANY MEETINGS AT CM’S RESIDENCE UNTIL AN ASSURANCE IS GIVEN BY THE GOVERNMENT

NEWDELHI: The Delhi government employees on Thursday launched a ‘silent protest’ against the alleged assault on Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash even as the political wing of the government questioned their method of dissent.

Demanding “tangible steps” to ensure their safety and dignity, employees across Delhi government offices observed a five-minute silence during lunch time. Bureaucrats have also decided not to go to the chief minister’s house for any meeting until an assurance is given. Prakash had alleged that the assault on him by AAP MLAS was made at the CM’S residence.

“This protest will take place on all working days at 1:30 pm in all Delhi government offices, including those of Delhi Jal Board. It is to express our anguish over the breach of faith by the political executive of the city government,” said Manisha Saxena, secretary of IAS Association, who is also Delhi’s divisional commissioner.

The government, sources said, is miffed over the manner in which Prakash and the bureaucracy have been raising the issue. “If the chief secretary was troubled by the heated argument that happened on February 19, then he should have discussed the matter with the CM. Why did he go to the Lieutenant Governor, issue statements for the media and then go to the police?” said a government spokesperson.

While Prakash was not available for comments, the IAS Association denied that such a thing was possible as the alleged assault happened in front of chief minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Kejriwal, who returned from his one-day visit to Madurai on Thursday afternoon, remained at his Flagstaff Road residence. He met deputy CM Manish Sisodia and environment minister Imran Hussain. He is likely to hold a meeting with ministers on Friday.

As the protest by Delhi government officials entered the third day, work at the Secretariat continued even as the ministers and officials did not engage in any meetings. Home secretary Manoj Parida led a five-minute silent protest in which all officials working at the secretariat participated.

The staff in revenue, education, transport, DUSIB and DTC observed silence in protest against the alleged assault on Prakash by some AAP MLAS on Monday midnight.