Agartala: Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb triggered controversy once again – but this time he severely criticised courts and judiciary while advising government officers to follow the direction of public representatives in the implementation of development projects.
Talking to the biennial conference of Tripura Civil Service Officers Association on Saturday here, Deb expressed displeasure over a section of officers who, according to him, ‘always refers to rules and the court orders. And, sometimes they speak in contempt of courts’ for implementing the government decisions, which he didn’t like.
The Chief Minister advised not to tell him that this will create problems in the system. He asked, “What kind of problem will this create in the system?” They say, can’t take the risk sir – this will be a contempt of the court order. I want to know who has been sent to jail on contempt of court charges. I am here – before you go I shall go to the court first, Deb stated.
“This is not so easy to take someone to jail on contempt charges. Taking someone to jail required police but mind it police are under Chief Minister. The court will direct police, police will say we are looking for him but not getting. So, don’t be afraid of court etc,” Deb uttered.
He mentioned, “I am a tiger, not a court. We make laws and the court just implements them.”
Referring to a previous Chief Secretary Deb said when I had wanted to give promotion to the government employees and officers he disagreed saying it would be a contempt of court order and he would die. “Let him (Chief Secretary) die, I don’t bother. I dumped him out from the post and now he realised,” Chief Minister pointed out.
Deb further advised that government officers must listen to elected representatives of the locality and execute the projects and schemes according to their (political bosses) modalities without fearing rules, laws and court.
Ultimately, the elected government is the supreme and other democratic institutions have existed by negotiating with the government only, Deb observed.
The public statement of the Chief Minister before the government officers has triggered severe reactions in the political circle across the state. While CPI-M criticized Deb accusing him of disrespecting the court and judiciary, congress termed it as ‘reflection of autocratic mindset and replication of Hitler regime’ and Trinamool congress said ‘it’s a mindless remark to create disorder in the society.
“We shall refer CM’s statement to the notice of higher judiciary seeking action,” said Congress president Birajit Sinha adding that government and administration are two independent pillars of democracy and the judiciary has been working as a watchdog to ensure equal benefit and justice to all but the way Chief Minister uttered against the judiciary is not acceptable. He instigated people to be disregarded towards court direction and warned people to be loyal to his government even if somebody is deprived.
Trinamool Congress leader Subal Bhowmik said recently the high court of Tripura has made several judgments against the illegal things and politically motivated actions of the state government, which seems to make CM unhappy and out of frustration he began insulting the judiciary and court without understanding it’s consequences.
Meanwhile, CPI-M state secretary Jitendra Choudhury said, “Tripura Chief Minister is known for his loose talks from the very first day of his office but this time he made a dangerous observation, which will certainly make the criminals and corrupts happy. This will also create disorder in the society and people will lose all faith in the courts.”
