How ungrateful is BJP to Ashok Khemka

One had reasons to expect the serial victimisation of IAS officer Ashok Khemka during the Bhupinder Singh Hooda government of the Congress in Haryana - because he had exposed the dubious land deals between Congress president Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra and realty giant DLF. But Khemka's continued harassment at the hands of the ML Khattar government of the BJP is simply confounding.

One also believed that Khemka, who had been transferred on several occasions by the Congress government in Haryana, would get plum posting once Narendra Modi became the prime minister because the former's "expose" on Vadra land deal had substantially contributed to the BJP coming to power at the Centre, as well as in Haryana.

Just as the credit for exposing the 2G spectrum and coal block allocation scams goes to the then comptroller and auditor general of India (CAG), Vinod Rai, Khemka is acknowledged for bringing to fore the controversial Vadra-DLF land deals. Modi had harped on these alleged corruption cases during the campaign for 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

The BJP had also released a CD and booklet "Damad Shree" to attack the Nehru-Gandhi family. These issues had created a perception of the Congress being a government of the corrupt, helping the BJP to ride to power.

However, while Rai has been appointed as the first chairman of the Banks Board Bureau post-retirement, Khemka has only faced gross ill-treatment at the hands of the BJP governments both in the state and the Centre. The BJP can only be labelled as being ungrateful to Khemka.

When Modi became the PM, there were reports of Khemka, an IIT-Kharagpur alumnus, being moved to the Centre on deputation. However, that did not materialise.

Subsequently, when the BJP won elections for the first time in Haryana and Khattar became its chief minister, it was thought that Khemka's days of struggle were finally over. He was made the transport commissioner and secretary of transport department in November 2014, just after Khattar took over the reins of the state.

Khemka tweeted expressing his happiness.

Taken over as Transport Commissioner, Haryana today. Looking forward to bringing improvement in the transport sector.

— Ashok Khemka, IAS (@AshokKhemka_IAS) November 24, 2014

However, that bliss proved short-lived. On April 1, 2015, he was transferred yet again as the director general of low key archaeology and museums department - his 46th in 23 years of service, at the rate of one transfer per six months. Why? It so happened that as the transport commissioner, Khemka had rubbed the politicians and businessmen the wrong way.

The reason behind his transfer is not hard to find out. He had launched a drive against overloading, oversized goods vehicles, and vehicles running without proper permits.

60% of road accidents due to overloaded and over-sized transport vehicles. Industry cooperation needed to stop this road menace.

— Ashok Khemka, IAS (@AshokKhemka_IAS) January 5, 2015

This caused the truck lobby to go on strike in January 2015. The development obviously irked the BJP a lot and within months, Khemka was shunted out of the crucial department. The honest-to-a-fault IAS officer was hurt by his unexpected ouster.

Tried hard to address corruption and bring reforms in Transport despite severe limitations and entrenched interests. Moment is truly painful

— Ashok Khemka, IAS (@AshokKhemka_IAS) April 1, 2015

Khamka had also tried to check corruption. But all proved futile.

Corruption cannot be divorced from the talk on development. Corruption is an expression of power; unfair and de-humanising to its victim.

— Ashok Khemka, IAS (@AshokKhemka_IAS) February 15, 2015

Khemka was a persona non-grata during the Congress regime and he has remained so even during the BJP rule. The BJP obviously dreads Khemka's honesty and forthright attitude. Ironically, SS Dhillon, who enjoyed coveted postings during the Hooda government, is close to the Khattar dispensation as well. Dhillon, who was posted as additional chief secretary, tourism and archaeology and museums departments, was transferred to the high profile transport and civil aviation department.

Two consoling developments did take place for Khemka though subsequently - a chargesheet filed against the IAS officer by the Hooda government in December 2013 was dropped by the Khattar government in November 2015. Also, on January 1, 2016, he was promoted to the post of principal secretary. Khemka expressed happiness and hoped for an early posting.

Wish all a very Happy New Year! Grateful to the Almighty.Awaiting posting on promotion to the rank of Principal Secretary.

— Ashok Khemka, IAS (@AshokKhemka_IAS) January 1, 2016

However, despite the lapse of three long months, that posting has not come by, hurting Khemka and subjecting him to further humiliation.

Awaiting posting on promotion for last 3 months. Holding a lower rank post is humiliating. Like a Lt Gen forced to hold post of Brigadier.

— Ashok Khemka, IAS (@AshokKhemka_IAS) March 30, 2016

Despite being ignored by the prime minister and Haryana chief minister, Khemka, incidentally, enjoys support of Khattar's cabinet colleagues. State health minister Anil Vij pledged his support when the IAS officer was transferred in April 2015. "Even today, I am with Khemka. I will meet the chief minister and discuss about his transfer," he said.

But there has been no respite for an honest officer Khemka who does not even like to be called a whistleblower.

Hurt when labelled whistle-blower officer. I do what is expected of public servants. Not doing so would be misconduct.

— Ashok Khemka, IAS (@AshokKhemka_IAS) April 8, 2015

Even though the BJP rules the Centre as well as Haryana and has come to power at both the places on the plank of "wiping out corruption", it is ironic that an upright officer is being victimised instead of being rewarded for honesty towards his duty.