AP high court slams senior tax official for ignoring its orders on employee promotions

Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh high court on Thursday came down heavily on chief commissioner of state tax (CCST) Ahmed Babu for not implementing the court's orders. During the hearing of petitions filed by commercial tax department officials over alleged suppression of promotions to eligible employees by Ahmad Babu, the high court said an IAS officer driven by prejudice should not be allowed to continue in service. "We would have suspended him immediately if we had the authority," remarked Justice Battu Devanand.The petitioners also alleged harassment and irregularities in tax collections by Ahmad Babu. Despite conducting the departmental promotion committee (DPC) meeting, Ahmad Babu sat over the file to deny promotions to employees, which amounts to nothing but harassing them, alleged senior counsel K S Murthy, arguing on behalf of the petitioners.The high court earlier directed Ahmad Babu to take necessary action on promoting employees as per the recommendations of the DPC. As the orders of the court were not implemented, Justice Devanand said Ahmed Babu showed no respect for law or the high court's orders. "We would request the Union govt to conduct an inquiry into the allegations and dismiss him from service if evidence is found," said Justice Devanand.Referring to the conduct of DPCs in Aug and Sept last year, the court noted that promotions were withheld by suppressing the files. "He is not doing any charity for the employees as promotion is their right. Will the IAS officers keep quiet if they are denied promotions? Why this differential treatment to the employees below?" asked Justice Devanand. The high court expressed displeasure that despite it passing orders in Dec directing the promotions, Ahmed Babu was pressing for another DPC, citing the end of the panel year. Noting that it appears to be a "deliberate act to stall promotions", the HC questioned why such officers were being given postings.The high court also found fault with the chief secretary for continuing with Ahmad Babu in the same position despite serious allegations by the employees. "What action did the chief secretary take on the representation given by the employees alleging harassment by Ahmad Babu?" asked Justice Devanand, while directing advocate general Dammalapati Srinivas to submit details on the same by Friday.