SUMAN K SHRIVASTAVA
Ranchi, Nov. 29: The members of the Jharkhand Administrative Service Association (JHASA) are on the boil after the untimely death of their colleague, Pratap Toppo, posted as a circle officer in the Garu block under Latehar district.
They said Toppo suffering from cancer did not get leave at the right time to undergo treatment, triggering the deadly disease of cancer to take the life of a very sensitive officer. He died at CMC Vellore on November 25.
“On the other hand, he was also under severe mental trauma for eight months after having been accused of not paying attention to MNREGA work and about 45 days ago he was punished with censure,” he pointed out.
“I sincerely wish that the agony in which he spent the last eight months of his life after the recommendation of Form A should be discussed and the JHASA should review the proposal of his Form A and the punishment given to him for censure,” pointed out a JHASA member requesting anonymity.
“If he is declared innocent then perhaps his soul will truly rest in peace and this will be a true tribute to him who was a very responsible, sensitive and hardworking officer,” he pointed out.
Pratap Toppo, who was a bachelor, had established a school/ashram for orphan children in Mahuatand.
Social activists also agitated
Toppo’s death has agitated the social activists too in Latehar.
They said that Pratap Toppo could not get leave for treatment at the right time. Due to this, the disease increased to cancer and he died ultimately.
They have demanded the government to order a high-level investigation into this entire matter and action should be taken against the guilty officials.
Latehar’s senior advocate Birsa Munda said that everyone is saddened by the demise of Circle Officer Pratap Toppo. He said that it is coming to light that when Pratap Toppo fell ill 7-8 months ago, he had sought leave from senior officials for his treatment but was not given leave by the officials. Due to this, his disease progressed and took the form of cancer, he said and added that the government will have to conduct a high-level investigation into this matter.
Tribal thinker Ranthu Oraon of Latehar Sarna Samiti said that it is highly condemnable that an officer is not given leave for treatment. Social worker Celestin Kujur said that Pratap Toppo was a lively officer. “His death saddens everyone. If he had been treated at the right time, perhaps he would have been among us today,” he added.
JHASA members’ wake-up calls
A JHASA member said that a meeting of the JHASA district unit should be held every month in which deputy collectors can present their views or problems.
“The JHASA district unit should discuss those things with the appropriate person and the meeting proceedings should be made available to him,” he added.
He also said that the exploitation of junior officers by senior officers of the JHASA should stop.
“The officers closest to the Deputy Commissioner in the district are the Deputy Collectors, who are engaged day and night in flattering the Deputy Commissioner,” he pointed out.
“If the district unit of JHASA functions properly, no deputy collector in the district will have to face any problem.
“If any problem is not solved at the district level, then the state executive of JHASA should be asked to take necessary steps,” he added.
