Rolu Picnic accused refuse to cooperate with inquiry proceedings

GANGTOK, 20 July: Government servants facing disciplinary action for their presence in the Rolu Picnic incident, today wrote a joint application addressed to the inquiry chairman, Law Secretary RK Purkasthya, conveying that they will not cooperate with the Inquiry Commission any longer as it has failed to complete its task within the prescribed time.
In the application submitted to the Inquiry Commission, it is stated that the Commission has failed to provide any relevant documents or proof against those involved in the incident and has breached the provisions of Sikkim Government Servant’s (Disciplinary and Appeal) 1985.
Therefore, the group has said that they will not entertain any date or time in the inquiry henceforth. Mentioning that till now they have appeared before the Commission for up to 20 times without fail but the Commission is only extending the disciplinary proceedings.
As per the Sikkim Government Servant’s (Disciplinary and Appeal) 1985, the State Inquiry Officers are usually expected to complete disciplinary proceedings within a period of three months from the date of first hearing in the matter.
However, the Inquiry Commission has failed to complete the inquiry even after two years and seven months, expressed the group of government employees.
It is learnt that the Commission has only just begun examination of witnesses.
Out of the 31 employees indicted in the case, BK Tamang [a Deputy Secretary] and one teacher Milan Rai have since retired.