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Hot seat
Ajit Kumar Tripathy,
state election
commissioner
You have announced the schedule for the three-tier panchayat election in Odisha. It would be held in five phases between February 11 and 19, 2012, which is a tremendous task. Do you think you would be able to conduct the polls smoothly in a free and fair manner?
As state election commissioner, this is my first panchayat election. I hope it will be free, fair and smooth.
Do you feel that the Maoist presence in certain districts of Odisha would affect the smooth conduct of polls?
Times are gradually becoming difficult. The situation now is different from what it used to be during the 2007 elections. More districts have become prone to violence now. So, challenges are definitely there but that does not mean we would admit defeat and make way for a violent election. We are taking steps to ensure smooth polling.
What security measures are you planning to take?
We have the IA battalion, the Border Security Force, the Odisha State Armed Police – they are available with us. We have written to the government of India that we badly require the services of the central security forces for the panchayat polls. So, they should not ask us to surrender our existing force for elections in other states.
What is the estimated expenditure for the elections?
Around Rs 56 crore would be required.
Instead of electronic voting machines (EVMs), you have decided to rely on the ballot paper system. Why?
This is different from the Assembly elections when there are just two boxes – one for MPs and the other for MLAs. Panchayat elections involve casting a series of votes to elect four candidates – ward member, panchayat samiti member, sarpanch and zilla parishad member. At present, there is no EVM designed or available that can take care of four votes in a single “push button” system. And four machines for each booth would be unmanageable.
Elections would be held in five phases. Will the result of one poll influence the results of the next poll?
It could influence the voting pattern in the neighbouring block. When people go to vote on February 13, they would know the results of the February 11 polls, which is, in a sense, not desirable. The rules, unfortunately, provide for counting of votes on the same day. So, we have tried to amend the rules to central counting but then every amendment takes time.
What do you feel about the perception that bureaucrats influence the decisions of the political masters?
That is how it is meant to be. The job of a bureaucrat is to influence, guide and suggest (the political leaders) what decisions are to be taken. But there should not be undue influence that might vitally affect the state of affairs. One should not influence the other by pressurising, bribing, coaxing or threatening.
Could you tell us more about this equation?
I have a very balanced view on this. It is a two-way process. Why do people contest elections and become ministers or panchayati raj members? They either have to take decisions themselves or influence the decision making process if they are in junior positions. And how do they exercise this influence? For example, A, B, C are the top brass bureaucrats, who influence the decisions of the higher-ups. So, you persuade A, B or C that a certain thing is right and to take decisions accordingly.
You had named former health minister Bijayshree Routray in the health scam, who was later given a clean chit by the vigilance department. You alleged that he had accepted a bribe of Rs 5 lakh while implementing a World Bank-funded project.
I think the matter is still subjudice. There is a defamation case against me. It would be improper on my part to comment.
What led you to take up the development of the Kenduli Sasan village where poet Jayadev is believed to have been born?
The place has a rich cultural heritage. Jainism, Buddhism, Shaivism, Vaishnavism and Tantrism had a sway in the area. This had to be brought to the notice of everybody.
A seasoned bureaucrat
Straightforward and articulate, Ajit Kumar Tripathy is the state election commissioner and the former chief secretary of Odisha.
He did his schooling in Dhenkanal, Balangir and Cuttack. He stood fourth in the state in the matriculation exam. Then he went to Ravenshaw College in Cuttack, studied science for a year and changed over to arts with political science as his honours subject. He completed post graduation in the same subject from Utkal University, Bhubaneswar.
He served at the university as political science lecturer for about a year, switched to a bank job and later joined the IAS in 1973. He started his career as sub-collector of Rayagada district in 1975, held key positions such as district magistrate and collector of Ganjam and Sambalpur.
Tripathy has also been the managing director of the Odisha Small Industries Corporation, director of the information and public relations department, and member of administration and finance in the State Electricity Board, among other posts. He has served as managing director and chairman of the Odisha State Disaster Mitigation Authority.
He became the chief secretary in 2004 and held the post of chief administrator of KBK districts and then member of board of revenue, Odisha. He assumed his present office in September 2009. He was awarded a PhD degree in political science from Utkal University in 2011.
Tripathy is the present chairman of the Sri Jayadeva Foundation Trust in Bhubaneswar and has written a number of books.
What would you have been had you not been an IAS officer?
I can think of two alternatives — teaching and a bank job. After completing post graduation, I joined as a lecturer in political science at the Utkal University. Then I appeared for the bank PO entrance test and joined the State Bank of India. Two years later, I cleared the civil service examinations and achieved my aim of becoming an IAS officer. I remember, when I was seven or eight years old, I really wanted to become a truck driver and command the highway. But as I grew older, I realised how foolish it was because truck drivers go through frequent trials and tribulations.
