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Patna,(BiharTimes): If media reports are to be believed huge work-load and excessive pressure of various datelines have taken its toll on some of Bihar’s top IAS officers. They are suffering from a variety of ailments, the common one related to heart and back problems, and high blood pressure.

But what the media failed to point out is that there are several officials at the top level, who have hardly any work to do as they are not in the good book of the powers that be. They too are getting sick, that is because of without work. They end up writing articles, composing poetry, doing academic research or teaching students.

And there are some other officers, who keep roaming with the chief minister and deputy chief minister during various Yatras.

A couple of months back when an NRI coming fresh from China narrated a very interesting story to BiharTimes. He said that when he approached a relatively junior IAS officer––age-wise––holding a very big post the latter complained to the visiting dignitary that he had been suffering from dysentery yet he has been working alone in office till 9:00 PM. He then showed the redness in his eyes to the guest to confirm that he had not been sleeping well. The NRI said that looking at the pitiable condition of the officer he did not discuss much the real purpose of his visit.

Media reports suggest that Principal Secretary (Cabinet Secretariat), Afzal Amanullah, has not been keeping up well for the last several months. After being diagnosed with high blood pressure and related complications, he took an extended leave. Even, in this period, he got the news that he had been given the additional charge of the high profile office of Secretary to the Governor.

Last week, Principal Secretary (Health) C K Mishra collapsed while he was taking his morning walk. A check up showed that his blood pressure had shot up to dangerously high-level.

Principal Secretary (Water Resources Department) Ajay Nayak was suffering from so much back pain that he had to cancel a trip with a visiting central team to flood affected areas of North Bihar.

Ravikant, Principal Secretary (Energy), though only 49, has been suffering from heart problem.

Bhanu Pratap Sharma, Principal Secretary (Finance), has been on leave for last few months due to health problems.

Principal Secretary (Rural Development) Santosh Mathew often reaches his Patna Circuit House room well past midnight.

“Stress is now a serious issue we can not ignore any more. Even corporate top honchos now get time off to recover and recuperate from ill-impact of excessive work. We officers too deserve consideration,” Afzal Amanullah was quoted in Hindustan Times.
Sunday off, a rarity for some officers, were now a must. “Besides, departmental heads, who bear the brunt of responsibility, should be allowed to reach their offices by 10:30 AM instead of starting their working day much earlier, as they do now. After concluding their work well past 9:00 PM, free morning hours are absolutely critical for senior officers” he argued.

But there are no dearth of officers, who dismiss this media reports. No big news if a dozen or so officers, out of several hundreds, have some health problems. This is very common phenomenon everywhere, the officers, who are not favourite to the chief minister, argued.

This happens with all the chief ministers. They pick and choose officers of their own choice. So naturally they are over-burdened, but then they call the shot too, the argument goes.

Similarly, in police hierarchy several top officials, who were four years back entrusted with all the responsibility have now fallen from favour and have been dumped.

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