Style of functioning of Devi Lal as CM.

Gustakhi Maaf Haryana- Pawan Kumar Bansal

Extracts from my coming book on politics,culture and governance of Haryana titled “ Murky Politics of Haryana “.Ex
UPSC Chairperson and Haryana cadre IAS officer Rajni Razdan had bitter taste of functioning of ex CM ,Devi Lal.Way back in 1987 when she was director of Higher Education Haryana. Furious over for not obeying his dictates for appointing a lecturer, Devilal, then Chief Minister had even threatened to suspend her over telephone as in those days mobiles were not in use.The whole story has all ingredients of a Mumbai thriller from threat to diplomacy and style of functioning of a chief minister and misuse of powers for appointing favorites on jobs..
Recalls Anil Razdan Haryana cadre IAS and Razni,s husband “ I was sitting in my office till late meeting people as I got telephone from my wife Rajni Rajdan asking me to come home immediately which perturbed me as Rajni had not explained the urgency of her request.”.,Anil Razdan who was then posted as director of Town and Country Planning Department.He used to sit in office till late evening listening to the grievances of people.Anil Razdan concluded his meeting with the visitors and rushed to his official residence in Chandigarh. There more interesting and surprising development was waiting ..Rajni had not prepared the tea which they used to share together. Instead she told that Chief Minister, Devilal had threatened to suspend her over phone. Now Anil forgot the tea and asked for details.
Rajni had picked the receiver presuming the caller was her husband Anil but from other side someone told that he was Devilal, Chief Minister of Haryana .Caller further asked who is chief minister..Either you or me.Continuing his sharp dialogue, caller said that he can suspend you and disconnected the phone.
Now forgetting tea both Rajni and Anil started recollecting the previous events.All it had happened that Rajni had conducted interviews for post of some lectures and had declared the results same day on merit to avoid any pressure.Devilal wanted his favorite to be appointed so one of his aid spoke to Rajni to do the needful who was told that results have already been declared .Perhaps this was the cause of annoyance of Devilal. Devilal was briefed that Rajni did not bother him which might have hurt his ego.
God fearing and dedicated to duty both Razdan couple chalked their strategy.Rajni dotted entire sequence and made two carbon copies. Next day she went to Chief Secretary Kulwant Singh and submitted a copy to him and other to Commissioner of Higher Education.Rajni requested Kulwant Singh for sanctioning study leave as she wanted to pursue P.H.D.Rajni had even not got registered with any University and on other hand Devilal was pressing for her suspension.Here then Vice-Chancellor of the Punjab University came to her rescue and he allowed her to do P.H.D. afternoon , Rajni submitted the sanction papers and her study leave was sanctioned. In meantime Devillal had forgotten entire episode as officers had told him that Rajni has been sent on leave.Such was the style of functioning of Devilal.This incident and some other interesting incidents one concerning suspension orders of then Bhiwani district police chief, Swadesh Sethi for not obeying his instructions for blackening face of former chief minister Bansilal, finds mention in the book.
To cut short the story , Anil came on deputation to Delhi and Rajni remained on study leave for a long period.
After few months when Devilal realized his mistake he told Rajni to choose department of her choice telling that somebody might have misused his name.