Formal complaints have been lodged with Prime Minister Modi and the State Vigilance Department, urging swift legal action against IAS officer T Ranjit Singh who is serving as the commissioner of the Water Resource Department.
The complaints, filed by one R Peichun of Keishamthong Kabui Khul, Angom Sarjurani Devi of Awang Sekmai, K Koshang Maring of Nungourok village and Laishram Purnimashi Devi of Singjamei, alleged that the commissioner abused his official position by issuing an illegal order on December 27, 2023.
This order appointed 21 Assistant Engineers to the post of Executive Engineer in the Water Resources Department, Government of Manipur, based on a non-existent Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) that was never conducted.
The complainants assert that the appointment order was issued without a proposal from the head of the department, lacking requisition from the concerned department, and without the mandatory public notice.
Moreover, it is alleged that the appointment was made without the knowledge of the concerned chief engineer or the minister concerned, and in the absence of vacancies to accommodate/promote the 21 Assistant Engineers.
Stating that there are widespread rumors in the Secretariat that these actions were influenced by financial inducements from the appointed Assistant Engineers before Ranjit’s retirement on January 31, the complaints suggest that the Enforcement Directorate should investigate these allegations.
The commissioner is accused of committing fraud by taking advantage of his official position, resulting in a loss to the state exchequer.
The complainants argue that such actions have eroded public trust in government officials and call for immediate legal action against Ranjit to restore faith in the government and bring justice to Water Resources Department employees affected by these allegedly illegal appointments.
Notably, the complainants mention that the DPC and Promotion Order dated February 3, 2018, had already been settled by the High Court of Manipur in a judgment on October 30, 2023 (WP (C) No. 917 of 2017).
The High Court held that the writ petitioners (direct recruit Assistant Engineers) were not eligible for promotion to the post of Executive Engineer, making the subsequent appointment order contrary to the court’s judgment.
The complainants emphasised that the commissioner should be held accountable for this alleged illegal act, ensuring justice prevails.
