Severe Action Needed Against Officer Accused of Harassing Employees: Badal

Accused officer sends misleading letter to the police

Employees stand against officer who harassed them in the Forest Department; protests likely to escalate, says Prakash Badal, the Chairman of the Himachal Pradesh Ministerial Staff

In a press conference held today, Prakash Badal addressed the issue of an officer who has been harassing employees in the Forest Department. Badal revealed that this officer has brought a senior police officer to his office, where they stayed for a long time. Later that evening, the officer sent a secret letter to the Police Chief, falsely accusing Prakash Badal of disturbing the peace. This officer is attempting to hide his wrongdoings and intimidate employees, so they cease their protests and to frame Prakash Badal in a fabricated case. Prakash Badal stated that the entire state’s employees have united against this tyrant officer. He also disclosed that the officer has been intimidating the employees to the extent that even junior and newly appointed employees are terrified that they may lose their jobs.

The current atmosphere of fear in the Forest Department is causing a stir among the employees, with some officers and employees working under the officer trying to make the situation difficult for others. This has created an atmosphere of discontent, not just within the department but also among officers and employees. Employees have been protesting across the state, but in Shimla, some employees received show-cause notices, demanding an explanation for the reasons behind their conduct. Badal warned that the protest by the Forest Department employees would continue unless appropriate action is taken against this officer, who has been misusing his position and trying to create divisions among employees.

The press conference was followed by a meeting between Prakash Badal and five members of the Forest Department, including Forest Secretary Amandeep Garg. Garg listened to the employees’ grievances for nearly fifteen minutes and assured them that he would personally resolve the issue. Amandeep Garg also discussed the recent house allotment issue and promised to investigate it further. He further informed the employees that he would be holding a meeting with the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (HoFF) on this matter and would take the appropriate action.

Prakash Badal explained that they are considering taking disciplinary action against the officer, especially for intimidating and issuing show-cause notices to employees. Prakash Badal mentioned that the officer has been issuing show-cause notices to the employees at the Forest Department based on the officer’s instructions, which has created an atmosphere of fear and tension among employees. Badal expressed his astonishment and stated that any show-cause notices sent under the officer’s directives would be strongly contested by the employees.

Prakash Badal further revealed that a video recording of the meeting at the gate from the previous day, wherein employees were coerced to attend the meeting, is currently under scrutiny. In response to these developments, Badal called on the employees to stand up against such injustice through lawful means and assured that their voices would not be suppressed.