Former chief secretary P.P. Sharma

Ranchi, Dec. 15: Former chief secretary P.P. Sharma has sent an application seeking information under RTI Act, 2005, from the state department of personnel, administrative reforms and official language regarding senior IAS officer Shivendu.

Shivendu last served as the state health secretary and took voluntary retirement on August 31, 2009.

Sharma has asked the personnel department to provide information on the decision taken on an application and noting/drafting made in connection with Shivendu’s application for VRS.

He also asked information on matter of reference made by the state government to Union government in February 2008 about alleged acts of omission and commission by Shivendu in context of taking leave without permission and travelling abroad without permission, thus breaking All India Services (Conduct) Rules.

The others queries of Sharma were decisions of central/state government with copies of noting/drafting in the files on matter of Shivendu taking employment with foreign university in the US in January 2008 while on leave from India and returning back in July 2009 and again resuming charge as IAS officer.

Sharma asked about the decision of the state on matter of charges made against Shivendu who repaired two houses using health department funds.

“Shivendu had purchased medicines from a firm blacklisted by the Union government and was facing criminal case in Patna and a non-bailable warrant had been issued against him,” the RTI application says.

Moreover, Sharma also wanted to know that Shivendu had been indicted by Bihar Vidhan Parishad in 1999 for his acts of omission and commission while he was the secretary of state power board. The parishad even recommended departmental proceeding against Shivendu filing criminal case and recovery of Rs 10 crore.

“All these charges were under consideration before the state when his application for VRS was submitted,” Sharma has said in his application.

When contacted, Sharma confirmed he has sent an application.

The buzz in the business circle is that the application is a result of rivalry between the two men.