**Times They Are A-Changin!**
Nobody knows when someone’s time changes. The higher-ups in the government were once angry with a secretary-rank officer. After the formation of the government, plans to send him to the loop line were afoot. Although he did not hold any important position then, efforts were made to render him out of action. Fortunately, a powerful officer came to his rescue; otherwise, he would have been in major trouble.
When Sahib was posted in a city, a politician — now one of the most powerful figures — got angry with him. The cycle of fortune has changed, and now Sahib has become very powerful in the government.
**From Struggle to Power**
A few months ago, the officer was making rounds of the offices of powerful bureaucrats seeking a posting. Today, many officers approach him for help with their postings. Sahib is now enjoying his power. Reports suggest that, along with heading an important department, he wishes to take additional charge of a plum posting and is lobbying for it.
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**Reel Craze**
The reels of a district collector are going viral these days. This collector is making videos of his activities and travels and sharing them widely. Social media is portraying him as a hero.
Sahib recently got his first posting as a collector in a district. He is working hard and solving people’s problems. Although he meets the public regularly, going viral on social media might not work in his favor.
In a similar case, videos of a promotee officer went viral during his district posting, which angered his seniors. This new Sahib may face the same problem.
Many district collectors are unhappy with the officer’s videos. They argue that they are also diligently working in their respective districts but choose not to publicize their efforts.
Maintaining such a high profile in a district over the long term can be challenging.
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**Feeling Sad**
A retired IPS officer is feeling disappointed these days. He was hopeful of securing a position in a commission after retirement, but the government has yet to decide on his appointment.
The head of state favors appointing another officer, currently posted in an important department, as a commission member. This officer maintains good relations with the head of state. Earlier, there were talks of extending his tenure in his present department, but since the government could not proceed, there is now a consensus to appoint him to the commission.
The officer is soft-spoken and maintains good relations with everyone, so his appointment is uncontroversial. Before him, two options were in consideration, but he expressed keenness to join the commission. Apart from his qualities, his caste equations are also helping his appointment prospects.
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**Selfish Officer**
How selfish an officer can be is anyone’s guess. This particular officer holds charge of a department in the capital mainly to save his government house. He uses every means to retain it.
Sahib has another posting in a different city with some government houses under his jurisdiction. Reports indicate Sahib has become active in efforts to get those houses vacated. A powerful politician also has a government house, and Sahib has sent a notice asking the politician to vacate it.
In his previous posting, this officer acted similarly, pressuring junior officers to vacate houses under the organization’s control.
While the officer is making every effort to get posted in the state capital, the government is reluctant. Officers are not interested in postings in that department, making the issue intricate.
An additional chief secretary has been given additional charge of the department, but Sahib is not keen to go there. He is trying to be relieved of this additional charge and is ready to move to any other department, provided he can get out of this one.
Several officers have declined to join this department, forcing the government to run the important department with an officer on additional charge.
When the government gave the additional charge to Sahib, it initially planned to permanently post him there within days. However, seeing the additional chief secretary’s unwillingness, the government is reconsidering senior officers for the post.
One officer’s name is under consideration a second time. The government could not decide on the posting when the previous transfer list was released, but may do so before the next.
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**Officer Tense**
An officer holding an important position is tense about his next posting. Though currently posted at a key post, he knows he may be transferred anytime. He is lobbying for a plum posting, preferably deputation at the Centre.
Interestingly, even on deputation to the Centre, the officer will remain based in Bhopal. Despite efforts, Sahib was unsuccessful in securing the deputation post and has now become active in seeking a transfer to an important state department.
This officer is notable for being adaptable and easily favored by politicians and officers alike. Both the present head of government and the head of administration like him, which bodes well for securing a posting in a department of his choice.
In past instances, changes in government and leadership barely affected his postings, showcasing his resilience and influence.
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*Times indeed are a-changin, and the corridors of power are always abuzz with such stories of shifting fortunes and political maneuvers.*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/overheard-in-bhopal-reel-craze-selfish-officer-officer-tense-more
