70 transfers in 34 yrs, Kasni retires today

Sushil Manav

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 27

With 70 transfers in his bureaucratic career spanning 34 years, IAS officer Pradeep Kasni retires tomorrow from a “non-existent” post of OSD, Land Use Board, as a disillusioned and a dejected man.

Kasni has even refused to accept an invitation from the IAS Officers Association for his send-off due to his disenchantment with the system, which he feels did not give him a fair deal.

“I received a telephone call from an office-bearer of the association. However, the tone and tenor of the officer was not good, as he asked in a taunting manner when I will like to have a cup of tea, which, he said, is a formality of the association. I politely declined and offered him to come to my residence for a cup of tea rather,” the officer says.

Kasni plans to pen a novel of the genre of magical realism and another book narrating his experiences during his 34 years in bureaucracy.

Kasni joined Haryana Civil Services in 1984 and was elevated to IAS in 1997. His wife Neelam Kasni was also an IAS officer in the state and retired last year.

His 70th transfer as OSD, Land Use Board, was issued on August 22, 2017, due to “administrative exigencies and in public interest” though no post by this name existed in the government at that moment. He was not provided any office, staff, vehicle or even a peon for performing his duties.

When he sought information under the RTI, he was told that the post was not in existence since 2008 when it was abolished by the government. Kasni moved the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) on November 20 last year seeking to set aside the transfer order as illegal.

The government informed the CAT that a post was created in the Chief Secretary (Establishment) office with effect from August 22 on November 6 and vide orders dated November 14, Kasni was allotted room number 307 in the New Secretariat in Sector 17, Chandigarh.

However, in the absence of any staff, vehicle and even a peon, room number 307 never became an office. His case in the CAT is now listed for March 7.

• Kasni joined Haryana Civil Services in 1984 and was elevated to IAS in 1997. Considered an upright officer, Kasni is also known for his plain-speaking
• His 70th transfer as OSD, Land Use Board, was issued on August 22, 2017, due to "administrative exigencies and in public interest" though no post by this name existed in the government at that moment.