Chandigarh, Jan 4
A select group of top bureaucrats who have worked closely with Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda in the past nearly nine years seem to be reaping the benefits of their proximity to him.
Though the state government does not have any official rehabilitation policy for superannuating bureaucrats, those close to Hooda are lapping up cushy post-retirement sinecures.
Over a dozen top-ranking bureaucrats, including a husband-wife duo, have been accommodated with high-level post-retirement assignments that not only protect their well-paid salaries but also enable them retain official bungalows, cars with red beacons, security and other government-sponsored facilities like staff and all-costs paid mobiles and telephones. The assignments take care of the bureaucrats for up to five years after retirement.
P.K. Chaudhery, who got a six months' extension as chief secretary last year after reaching the age of superannuation, finally retired on Dec 31. Just back from a trip to the United States, Chaudhery was Wednesday, the first day of 2014, appointed advisor to the Haryana government for development and governance reforms.
Chaudhery, who is the brother-in-law of Haryana Industries Minister Randeep Singh Surjewala, has been given the rank and status of a cabinet minister. This entitles him to a status even higher than that of the chief secretary.
Krishna Mohan, who retired on Tuesday as additional chief secretary, is also in line for a cushy post-retirement job.
By:IANS