From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Sep 18: Given the reported plans of Karnataka Chief Minister to appoint Subhash Chandra Kuntia as the next Chief Secretary in place of the outgoing incumbent Aravind Jadhav, former Chief Minister and State BJP President B S Yeddyurappa has sought to put a spoke in the wheels by demanding that Additional Chief Secretary K Ratna Prabha must be appointed to the top most bureaucratic post in the State Government.

Both Kuntia, who is presently on Central deputation and Prabha belong to the 1981 IAS officers’ batch.

The Lingayat strongman, who is keen to corner the Siddaramaiah regime at every opportunity, has issued a strongly worded press statement stating: "It is most deplorable on the part of the Congress government for indulging in machinations of the worst kind to deny the post of Chief Secretary to Ms Prabha in spite of all the necessary qualifications and experience.”

B S Yeddyurappa

Yeddyurappa, who is presently involved in a no-holds barred game of political upmanship with his one-time close lieutenant K S Eshwarappa over the latter’s plan to launch the Sangolli Rayanna brigade of Dalits and Backward Classes as a counter to Siddaramaih’s Ahinda (minorities, backward classes and Dalits) movement, conveniently used Ms Ratna Prabha being a woman IAS officer from the Dalit community to project himself as a champion of Dalits.

“A Dalit woman who passed civil services examination with commendable distinction,” he said and lauded Prabha’s contribution towards women empowerment and entrepreneurship.

The people of Bidar and Raichur still fondly remember Ms Prabha for her sterling performance as the Deputy Commissioner of two districts, Yeddyurappa said pointing out that the IAS officer was credited with implementation of programmes pertaining to women’s empowerment, especially in rural areas.

“In each and every angle, Prabha rightly and richly deserves to be considered for the post of chief secretary”, the former Chief Minister said.

“It is high time that the Congress stops shedding crocodile tears to the cause of Dalits. If the Congress government fails to take steps in favour of Prabha, it will stand further exposed in the eyes of the people,” Yeddyurappa added.

K Ratna Prabha

It may be recalled the Aravind Jadav was given a three-month extension of service after his super-annuation. Though the Chief Minister was keen on giving a second extension of three months, the maximum permissible, to Aravind Jadhav, the latter’s involvement in a shady land scam with his mother as a front put paid to the plans.

The full text of the statement issued by Yeddyurappa is as follows:

"It is most deplorable on the part of the Congress government for indulging in machinations of the worst kind to deny the post of chief secretary to Ratnaprabha in spite of all the necessary qualifications and experience.

This government ought to have recognised the services and performance of Ratnaprabha as a woman. A Dalit woman who passed civil services examination with commendable distinction, Ratnaprabha’s contribution in creating awareness among women is remarkable.

It is inexplicable as to what inadequacy or the so-called negative factors that the government has seen in her in order to deny the post of chief secretary. People of Bidar and Raichur still fondly remember Ratnaprabha for her sterling performance as DC of those two districts. Her contribution in increasing literacy from a mere three percent to 80 per cent is because of her commitment. It would not be wrong to describe Ratnaprabha as a dedicated social worker as she ensured distribution of agricultural lands to Devadasis as a part of their rehabilitation programme.

Ratnaprabha’s service in the field of women empowerment is something laudable. She is credited to have implemented programmes pertaining to women’s empowerment more specially in rural areas.

In each and every angle, Ratnaprabha rightly and richly deserves to be considered for the post of chief secretary.

Even now it is not too late; the Congress government must take necessary steps and change its mind to ensure that justice is done to an experienced and qualified Dalit woman officer.

It is not sufficient if the Congress merely makes announcements and pays lip sympathy to the cause of Dalits; it its concern is genuine and honest, then the government must immediately announce appointment of Ratnaprabha as the next chief secretary. It is high time that the Congress stops shedding crocodile tears to the cause of Dalits.

If the Congress government fails to take steps in favour of Ratnaprabha, it will stand further exposed in the eyes of the people.’’