Kaushik Rai allegedly threatened to slap on-duty Government Officers; Lakhipur MLA denies allegations 

The officers and the legislators are at loggerheads in Cachar District. The relationship between the two important constituents of a democracy have come under stress in the recent flood. Pressure was mounting on the administration as well as on legislators. Relief items were to be distributed to the people in the flood affected areas and it was not easy to reach them. They were not a few, but hundreds and thousands.

On the way to Kaptanpur GP in Lakhipur Constituency, the Guardian Minister of Cachar, Ashok Singhal and the MLA of Lakhipur, Kaushik Rai got irked at the administration. Kaushik Rai, according to sources sailing on the same boat, allegedly said, “I will slap you” to Circle Officer of Lakhipur Dr. Dipankar Nath. The source informed that Rai went on to question the integrity of the officer, with “Are you really a doctor?” and “Is your degree fake” slurs. Rai was irritated at officer Bikash Chetri too. The source informed that this happened in front of the Guardian Minister who remained a mute spectator throughout. SDO Lakhipur, Sudip Nath was also present on the spot at that time.

In fact, the Guardian Minister of Cachar, Ashok Singhal has uploaded a video on his social media page where it is clearly visible that he is not happy with the administration’s relief distribution. “If a Minister can reach, why can’t the relief reach to the people in distress,” he is seen questioning an officer in that video footage. In that same video, he is heard asking, “It has been five days and the relief has not reached them, why? You are just making lame excuses, did you visit this place before?” To this the SDO Lakhipur replies, “No” which further irritates the Guardian Minister. “You all can visit with the minister but cannot do so otherwise,” Singhal questioned. It started when he asked how many houses are under water and the officers could not provide with a number.

In front of subordinates and superiors, when Kaushik Rai said he will slap the officers, it left a negative impact on Dipankar Nath and Bikash Chetri is what the source said. “Dejected by the behaviour, both of them got depressed and demotivated while they were putting their bests. In fact, both of them are rated as best officers by the Cachar District Administration’s leadership,” added the source.

Guardian Minister Ashok Singhal did not reply to Barak Bulletin’s request for a comment on the issue. MLA Lakhipur, Kaushik Rai, however, denied the allegations that he threatened to slap the officers. “The Guardian Minister was with me all throughout the trip. There was no such altercation between me and any other officer. I have been to Kaptanpur twice, once there wasn’t any officer and second time, the Minister was with us. I did not threaten to slap anyone,” clarified Rai while speaking with Barak Bulletin.

The Deputy commissioner of Cachar, Keerthi Jalli too refused to comment on the issue at this stage. While one might question that when the DC is not commenting on the issue and Kaushik Rai is saying that he has not threatened anyone, then why is it even a story as the officers aren’t speaking out in public domain either.

The answer lies in the subtle reflections of silence. Today morning, the deputy commissioner of Cachar formally handed over the relief distribution work in non-relief camps to the Chairman of Zila Parishad, Amitabh Rai and CEO, Eldad Faihriem. If sources are to be believed then there was a meeting between Guardian Minister of Cachar, Ashok Singhal, MLA Lakhipur, Kaushik Rai and deputy commissioner of Cachar Keerthi Jalli. If sources are to be believed then DC Jalli expressed her displeasure at the way her officers were treated by certain legislators.

The first working day after that incident, the deputy commissioner of Cachar issuing a formal order to handover the relief work to Zila Parishad raises many eyebrows. Barak Bulletin has got access to the letter which states, “Whereas, Circle Officers have undertaken assessment at various places of the district and have set up Relief Camps at various places all around the district in shortest possible time and 5058 quintals of rice along with other GR Items has already been distributed across the district. Despite of efforts undertaken by available resources, it has not been possible to reach some places due to human resource constraint, logistical issues & mobility challenges, etc.”

“In view of the ongoing Floods in Cachar District, as the District is already declared as Severe Flood Zone & all the Circle Officers along with their staff are not able to reach every nook & corner of the concerned Revenue Circle & also as suggested by Hon’ble Guardian Minister and as per decision of Hon’ble MP, Hon’ble MLAs of Cachar in the meeting held on 19/05/2022 President, Zilla Parishad along with Chief Executive Officer, Zilla- Parishad, Cachar are to entrusted with the GR Items distribution of Non- Camp areas(areas other than Relief Camps)for those people who are not able to reach Relief Camps setup by Circle Officers,” adds the letter.

It is worth noting here that the suggestion to entrust Zila Parishad was placed by the Guardian Minister of Cachar District. While the deputy commissioner of Cachar could have simply issued the order to state that Zila Parishad is being handed over the work, she makes it a point to keep it on paper that the suggestion has actually come from the Minister and the political leadership of the district.

Also, if sources are to be believed, she was not keen to hand over the work as she believes her team was doing an adequate job despite the extreme challenges. In fact, people close to her informed that she is contemplating a transfer away from the district.

It is clear that the deputy commissioner and the legislators are not on the same page. Will she actually move away from Silchar or will the Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma intervene. Sources informed that the three officers have submitted a complaint too to the deputy commissioner. Will action follow?