New Delhi. Amid the ongoing controversy regarding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, questions have been raised regarding another administrative decision within the Election Commission. On a decision of Senior Deputy Election Commissioner (DEC) Manish Garg, Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi wrote to Cabinet Secretary T.V. Objections were expressed by writing separate letters to Somanathan. The matter pertains to the monitoring of the Information Technology (IT) department of the Commission and distribution of responsibilities among officials.
Controversy started regarding DG-IT files
The matter pertains to the review of files related to Election Commission Director General (IT) Seema Khanna. By issuing an order, Manish Garg had decided to end the system of sending DG-IT files to Deputy Election Commissioner Sanjay Kumar.
Sanjay Kumar was a senior officer posted on deputation to the Election Commission and had long experience in the electoral process. In their letters, both the Election Commissioners raised questions on the change in the system and said that it was not appropriate to remove an officer of their level from the monitoring of the IT department.
Election Commission clarified on the controversy
After the controversy came to light, the Election Commission clarified that this matter was not a dispute related to any policy difference or the functioning of the IT department. According to the Commission, the matter was related to the conduct and administrative arrangements of an officer who was on deputation.
The commission also said that Manish Garg's order was not fully implemented and the Deputy Election Commissioner continued to monitor the functioning of DG-IT. That is, the monitoring of the IT department had not actually ended.
Sanjay Kumar returned in August
Amidst this entire incident, Deputy Election Commissioner Sanjay Kumar returned to his original cadre in August. After his departure, Manish Garg is taking over his responsibilities. Now the files related to DG-IT are also reaching the Election Commissioners through Manish Garg.
According to sources, Manish Garg met both the Election Commissioners and presented his side. They argued that the decision was hierarchy related, as DG-IT Seema Khanna had recently been promoted and was senior to Sanjay Kumar.
Complaints reached DoPT
The letters sent by both the Election Commissioners were received by Cabinet Secretary T.V. Somanathan has sent it to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT). However, caution is being taken at the government level regarding direct interference in this matter, because the Election Commission is an independent constitutional body.
Election Commission is already in controversies
This development has come to light at a time when political controversy is already going on regarding the functioning of the Election Commission. Recent reports had revealed that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had filed objections on some decisions of the Commission. The Election Commission, however, has said that differences of opinion on different issues can be part of the institutional decision process and major decisions, including SIR, are taken with the collective approval of the Commission.
In such a situation, this case related to Manish Garg has also become a part of the ongoing debate within the Election Commission regarding administrative rights and monitoring system. However, based on the available information, it would not be right to present this as any direct action or allegation against CEC Gyanesh Kumar.