Letter by addl CS questions former top babu’s integrity
Letter to chief secretary Swadheen Kshatriya alleges former CS Johny Joseph was ‘dishonest’, objects to him heading the Indian Institute of Public Administration. Joseph refutes allegations.
Former chief secretary Johny Joseph, currently heading the Maharashtra chapter of the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) could be in for major embarrassment following a letter to chief secretary Swadheen Kshatriya that questions his integrity.
The letter, written by additional chief secretary Anand Kulkarni (PWD), a 1982 batch IAS officer, also alleged that Joseph “licks boots of politicians”.
After his stint as chief secretary from May 2007 to November 2009, Joseph has been functioning as the IIPA chairperson, and was appointed as the state’s Upa-Lokayukta as well.
After his tenure as Lokayukta ended, Joseph, now 66, was appointed as chairperson of the State Level Expert Appraisal Committee for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. His appointment was finalised by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union minister Nitin Gadkari.
Sources said his continuance on several committees could have upset Kulkarni, whose letter said, “It is with lot of anguish that I pen down these lines. The IIPA has rendered yeoman’s service to the social and political scholarship as well as intellectual fabric of the society. The lecture on April 22 is an apt tribute to Late BG Deshmukh, a remarkable and outstanding administrator.”
It added, “Against this background, it was shocking to note that we have as hon chairman, IIPA a person like Johny Joseph whose doubtful integrity, nay certain dishonesty is a stigma on our service. I wonder whether a man who has been licking boots of politicians is a fit person to occupy this post. Well, human history is full of contradictions.”
“The contents of this letter are really explosive. It will cause immense embarrassment to Joseph,” a senior IAS officer in Mantralaya said.
Speaking to Mumbai Mirror, Joseph said, “What can I say about this letter? I was made chairman of this committee after I retired as chief secretary. There was no other candidate and I was always asked to continue. My term will end in October this year. I don’t know why things were written about my integrity.”
Former chief secretary Johny Joseph, currently heading the Maharashtra chapter of the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) could be in for major embarrassment following a letter to chief secretary Swadheen Kshatriya that questions his integrity.
The letter, written by additional chief secretary Anand Kulkarni (PWD), a 1982 batch IAS officer, also alleged that Joseph “licks boots of politicians”.
Joseph, a 1972 batch IAS officer, was the BMC commissioner from February 2004 to May 2007. He has held many important positions, including principal secretary to the chief minister before he took over as the city’s civic chief.
After his stint as chief secretary from May 2007 to November 2009, Joseph has been functioning as the IIPA chairperson, and was appointed as the state’s Upa-Lokayukta as well.
After his tenure as Lokayukta ended, Joseph, now 66, was appointed as chairperson of the State Level Expert Appraisal Committee for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. His appointment was finalised by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union minister Nitin Gadkari.
Sources said his continuance on several committees could have upset Kulkarni, whose letter said, “It is with lot of anguish that I pen down these lines. The IIPA has rendered yeoman’s service to the social and political scholarship as well as intellectual fabric of the society. The lecture on April 22 is an apt tribute to Late BG Deshmukh, a remarkable and outstanding administrator.”
It added, “Against this background, it was shocking to note that we have as hon chairman, IIPA a person like Johny Joseph whose doubtful integrity, nay certain dishonesty is a stigma on our service. I wonder whether a man who has been licking boots of politicians is a fit person to occupy this post. Well, human history is full of contradictions.”
“The contents of this letter are really explosive. It will cause immense embarrassment to Joseph,” a senior IAS officer in Mantralaya said.
Speaking to Mumbai Mirror, Joseph said, “What can I say about this letter? I was made chairman of this committee after I retired as chief secretary. There was no other candidate and I was always asked to continue. My term will end in October this year. I don’t know why things were written about my integrity.”
