Capt boots out, takes back transport officer

Rajmeet Singh

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 15

Within a month of cancelling the controversial appointment of an Additional District Transport Officer (ADTO), Simran Sra, in the Transport Department, the Capt Amarinder Singh government has revoked its decision.

The officer’s father, Harmel Singh Sra (now retired), was Additional Transport Commissioner, when he (Simran) was transferred to the department in 2013 while still on probation in the Public Works Department (PWD).

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On coming to power, Capt Amarinder Singh had ordered a review of all appointments made by the SAD government in the last six months of its tenure. The review found Simran’s appointment against rules, and he was reverted to the PWD. This week, Simran reported back in the Transport Department as Additional Transport Officer (ATO) after the Chief Minister allowed a petition from him to revoke the previous orders.

A senior functionary in the Chief Minister’s Office cited “political compulsions” behind the reversal. However, sources said there was pressure from the top SAD leadership, and an aide of Capt Amarinder Singh was also approached.

As the reinstatement has happened on the CM’s orders, the Aam Aadmi Party was quick to assert that this validated its claim of collusion between the Congress and Akalis. Leader of Opposition Sukhpal Khaira said, “We have been exposing the fixed match between the two for long. This case establishes quid pro quo.” Private transporters have earlier accused Harmel Singh Sra of watching over the transport business interests of the Badal family. 

Sra before retirement had been elevated as State Transport Commissioner. Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar, when contacted, said though he was not aware of the details of the case, he would inquire. However, he added, “Certainly there is no place for any official who colluded with their political masters in the previous government to cause loss to the exchequer.”

In January 2016 (under the SAD-BJP government), the office of the State Transport Commissioner had written to the Transport Secretary, seeking regularisation of Simran’s services in the department. But spotting “anomalies” in the ADTO’s file, the then Secretary, R. Venkatratnam, sought clarifications. The officer was divested of the post. His successor then regularised Simran’s appointment in September last year.