Serve People Without Fear or Favour
Kiran Bedi
24th Lt Governor Puducherry, Founder at India Vision Foundation and Navjyoti India Foundation
Here is a Mentoring Note.
Friends, I wish to alert you on one specific matter that came before the office of the Lt. Governor yesterday evening. Which is — indulging in single tender purchases.
Remember and know that unless this done in an emergency, by an authorized purchase committee with reasons to be recorded, it also requires the approval of the Lt Governor's office. Pre and Post.
In a file that came yesterday, it was when more than 400 items were reportedly purchased without due process, as per financial rules, on a single tender. The file was not even sent to the Chief Secretary nor to the Finance Department. It was approved by a Hon'ble Minister of the Department.
In view of these financial violations on record, the Lieutenant Governor's office did not legitimize an illegal act. Hence the request to approve it stood rejected. Sorry, no irregular act can be regularised.
I have now directed the file to be sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs for a show-cause notice to be served on the concerned senior who did this. I have also sought a regular departmental inquiry to be conducted by the Ministry of Home Affairs as he is a group.
Please know, if there is an emergency we are all here to be approached. Let’s not do anything under pressure. Please do your work with awareness and full responsibility. It’s a question of your careers ahead. And your lifelong pensions too. Please seek guidance if you are in doubt. We are all a call away.
But don’t concede on certain matters which border on illegalities or irregularities. You remain firm and effective while explaining the matter on file. This is your training and duty. The irregularities follow you even after you leave your posting in the Union Territory.
Please work as professionals without fear or favor. You are administrators. Remain that way. Present all sides of the matter on file. And put up for correct examination and orders. You put forth your view as you best understand and know. Examine all aspects fully too.
And in Finance matters do not ignore or skip the Finance Department. It’ll be very expensive for the rest of your life, both mentally and financially.
Be true to your service. Be Neutral and effective, serving the larger interest of people as trustees in all respects.
I wish you well. Hence this note.
Resident Advisor at Preeti Developers Pvt Ltd
4 年Madam, All these haphazard procedures can be set right with a well discussed and prepared rule book. It will also curtail the over application of mind, which is very common with us. We have all rules set and published through gazette and filed but never been explained to the concerned through workshops and mock-up drills. Moreover it is lack of awareness to all stakeholders.
Director, Sri Balaji Maintenance Services
4 年I uphold your decision. Administration has to be most effective and efficient without any ambiguity. When the matter needed your attention, purchasing so many items without your consent is dereliction of duties. He has to be summoned and enquiry conducted. Once again you have demonstrated high sense of your duties, responsibilities and your integrity. We are all extremely happy to learn about this incident.
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4 年Thank u mam its a great mam
Chief Compliance Officer
4 年This is a true classic example for a failure to take accountability and responsibility and use of authority thereby demonstating a weak corporate governance. A good vendor risk management framework with approved Policy and Standard Operating Procedure can protect and govern from illegitimate doing Digitilizing the entire VRM end to end module with Maker and Checker dual controls could further address and tighten the loopholes and looses at all end.
CORPORATE LAWYER | INSOLVENCY PROFESSIONAL | IBC | M & A | POSH | SEBI | SAT | NCLT | NCLAT | CORPORATE GOVERNANCE | COMPLIANCE
4 年What taken has been taken by you in this matter after noting this lapse ?