NATIONAL7Spotlight Weekly)]

Trial By Media

Civil servants feel intimidated by a flurry of unsubstantiated stories on false academic certificates

By KESHAB POUDEL

Recent media reports on the existence of fake certificates in the government's personnel files have sent a wave of trepidation across the civil service. While these stories may have given many people another opportunity to discuss what ails the administration, the affected employees are lamenting the media's willingness to identify people without checking for accuracy or upholding the doctrine of fairness.

Whether it is the sub-committee of the State Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives probing the matter or the Commission of Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), the motive appears to be the same: to terrorize senior bureaucrats and destabilize the system.

Civil servants : Terror of fake certificate

In the absence of credible and valid evidence against alleged fake certificate-holders, the parliamentary sub-committee headed by CPN-UML MP Mahendra Pandey and CIAA officials are leaking news to intimidate senior bureaucrats, mostly first class gazetted officers.

"If the CIAA and the parliamentary sub-committee have found such a large number of civil servants holding fake certificates, they should initiate legal proceedings immediately," said advocate Bal Krishna Neupane. "The agencies concerned know they cannot take any action, so they are leaking the stories."

About a year ago, the secretary of the Public Service Commission revealed the existence of a large number of fake certificate holders in the bureaucracy. Many senior officials were alleged to have submitted false certificates bought in India to secure promotions. Since then, several agencies have been pursuing the story with a zeal that has only served to intimidate and demoralize the civil service.

Recent news stories have named names quoting unidentified sources. Most of the people whose names have appeared in the papers insist they don't have spurious certificates. But the damage has already done to their reputation.

"I don't know how my name has appeared in the list, as I have not presented any master's degree certificate for promotion. I am tired of having to give clarifications to my colleagues, relatives and junior staff," said one employee. "If the concerned officials find my certificate fake, they should file a case against me in court."

Reporters claim their stories are based on credible facts, and they primarily quote the State Affairs Committee panel. However, is it legitimate or fair on the part of the parliamentary sub-committee to publicize news that is based on wild allegations? Shouldn't it ask the concerned officials to file cases against the guilty and let the law take its course?

Whatever the arguments given, this apparent nexus of the media, parliamentary sub-committee and investigative agencies like the CIAA seems to be actively intimidating the bureaucracy. At a time when key state institutions are already suffering from a serious crisis of confidence, such unsubstantiated reports can only further destabilize the civil service.

To be fair, the CIAA recently filed cases against three senior employees. However, if the investigating agencies feel there are so many civil servants holding fake certificates, they should suspend the concerned officials and begin legal proceedings, which is standard procedure in the bureaucracy. Trial by media certainly does not belong in a country governed by rules and laws.

The fact that most of the employees named in the list are holding very important and sensitive positions gives credence to suspicions of sinister motives. Over the years, a culture of fear driven from the jungles and the streets has gripped the country. Who would stand to benefit if the entire spectrum of state institutions collapses under a spiral of uncertainty and fear?