Prashant Layek

Jamshedpur, April 5: Former Dalbhumgarh BDO Prashant Layek is facing a no-win situation — he has not been paid since January and as he is unable take up his new posting, he cannot get his leave sanctioned either which is necessary to claim his salary.

Layek was abducted from his Dalbhumgarh office in Ghatshila sub-division on February 13 by Naxalites, who released him after six days following a deal with the state government. Immediately after his release, Layek left Ghatshila and proceeded on leave.

While on leave, Layek made attempts to secure a transfer away from Ghatshila to any block in Santhal Pargana, considered a safe zone.

He succeeded in getting a posting at Karon block in Deoghar district, where he was supposed to join on March 22. However, the BDO of Karon, Anwar Hussain, who was supposed to take up office in Dalbhumgarh in exchange, refused to leave his post.

“This is the third consecutive month that I haven’t received my salary. The last salary I got was in January. The salary for the month of February was subject to clearance following submission of income tax details. But before I could clear the formalities I was kidnapped by the rebels,” Layek said.

He added that salaries were prepared after taking leaves into consideration. “I am literally jobless. As the process of sanctioning leave is subject to my joining, my salary is stuck in a vicious circle. Unless I join somewhere I cannot give account of my leave which is necessary for claiming salary, and till then I will have to go without pay,” said Layek.

Layek was a sub-inspector of police in Delhi prior to becoming BDO of Dalbhumgarh in 2008. After being deprived of pay, the hapless officer has moved to his home in Dumka.

“I am left with no option but to take refuge at my village — Bagjhopa in Jama block of Dumka district. I am not hopeful of any change in the situation in the near future. I am being assured of all help, but nothing concrete is happening. I have also petitioned the personnel department to look into the matter and sort it out at the earliest,” Layek said.

However, joint secretary of personnel department, Ratan Kumar, who looks into matters pertaining to salary of BDOs, said he was unaware of any petition filed by Layek.

“I am not aware of the petition as I joined work two days ago after my predecessor Lambodhar Jha retired. I will check the files,” said Kumar.