AP State poll panel JD removed from duties

Amaravati: State Election Commissioner N Ramesh Kumar on Monday removed G Sai Prasad, State Election Commission joint director, from the services of the commission to safeguard the integrity of ongoing election process in the state.

In his order, the SEC said that since this is not an honourable discharge but dismissal with disgrace, Sai Prasad will not be entitled for any terminal benefits and is barred from entering any other government service either directly or indirectly. He said the orders will come into immediate effect.

In his order, the SEC stated that certain grave acts of indiscipline and breach of code of conduct on the part of Prasad came to the notice of the commission, which are found to be detrimental to the functioning of commission. He said the elections to gram panchayats were notified on January 9 and all the senior employees were asked to be in headquarters.

But Sai Prasad had sent a leave letter for 30 days and deserted his station without intimation despite being senior most functionary after the secretary. Further, it has been brought to the notice of the commission that he actively tried to influence all the employees misusing his authority to apply for leave en masse and desert the office of the commission. The enquiries conducted have conclusively established the role of the Sai Prasad, the order said.

The SEC said that the commission took into consideration the acts of gross indiscipline as well as attempts to subvert ongoing election process which is most serious offence of unheard of proportions while discharging from the service.