|
Delegation of 66 Yerawada Central Jail employees meets CM, demands transfer of Additional DG Prakash Pawar; officer keeps mum on issue
Clerical staff members of the Yerawada Central Jail have revolted against Additional DG of prison Prakash Pawar, complaining about his allegedly autocratic way of functioning and habit of harassing them at will.
They have also accused the top cop of misusing government employees for his personal works.
Up in arms: Staff members of Yerawada Central Jail are demanding
immediate transfer of ADG (Prison) Prakash Pawar. File pic
According to the employees, Pawar would ask the jail drivers to drive his private cars and, at times, compel clerical staff members to work on his farm in Satara district. Yesterday, as many as 66 jail staff met the Chief Minister and the Home Minister at the Mantralaya in Mumbai, seeking the government's intervention in the matter and demanding transfer of the Additional DG of prison (Western Region) at the earliest. They also handed over a letter to Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, Home Minister R R Patil and Minister of State for Home Satej Patil complaining about the autocratic way of functioning of Pawar.
The leaders have given them assurance of doing the needful in this regard. The members of the jail employees' delegation, including two superintendent of police rank officials, have told MiD DAY that they would go on an indefinite strike if their demands were not met at the earliest.
One of the employees at jail said that Pawar was misusing official drivers to drive his multiple personal cars, even to ferry his two daughters based in Mumbai. Another employee said that the jail staff was also asked to work at Pawar's farm in Satara.
A third employee, who was part of the delegation that met the chief minister, said, "Additional D G Pawar does not come to office regularly. And if at all he comes, he would come late in the evening. He would work till late in the night compelling his staff members to work ungodly hours."."
Refuting the allegations made by his staff members, Additional D G Pawar said, "This is a official matter and it is not right for me to comment in this regard." Medha Gadgil Principal Secretary (Home) told Mid DAY that home department is checking the veracity of the allegations made by the jail employees. She said, "We are inquiring into the matter and we will take decision shortly."
| 
