DIMAPUR — The Mon Area Students' Union (MASU) has come under fire from the Konyak Gazetted Officers Union (KGOU) for summoning a veterinary officer in Mon district.
It came after the MASU issued a summon letter on June 8, alleging that the officer was “found absent/ out of station without proper leave” and demanded an explanation along with a fine of INR 50,000.
“Basing on MASU Working Resolution No. 7, we conducted a surprise checking to the Departmental Office under Mon Area jurisdiction on 7 June 2024,” read the summon letter of the MASU, adding that the officer was found absent without leave.
However, the KGOU strongly condemned the student union’s move, reminding that its role is to act as a “watchdog of the function and administration of the government and its departments”.
“In any instance of a government officer or staff found neglecting his or her duty, the civil organisation should only report the matter to the Deputy Commissioner in a district or to the higher authority of the department for the person to be questioned and penalised accordingly if found guilty,” the KGOU stated in its letter to the MASU.
It went on to state that it is neither within the purview of the MASU, nor permitted under any established law to “arbitrarily take action against any government employee according to your own terms, without knowing the activities programmes of the Department”.
While acknowledging the student union’s intention to be a watchful and vigilant organisation in the interest of the Konyak public, the KGOU asserted that civil society may have the right to question government departments and officials, but cannot take indiscriminate action against government employees.
Stating that it undermines the government authority, who are the only competent authority to caution and penalise any erring government employee, it urged the student body to “rectify the unwarranted steps taken” and address their concerns with the appropriate authorities.