Azam Khan's staff allege abuse, seek transfer

LUCKNOW: Accusing Uttar Pradesh Urban Development Minister Mohammad Azam Khan of using "abusive and undignified" language against them, seven personal staff of the minister have approached the state government for being transferred elsewhere.

Khan's seven staff--private secretaries Jeevan Singh Negi and Vijay Bahadur Singh and additional private secretaries Awadesh Kumar Tiwari, MN Jha, Sarvesh Kumar Mishra, Mohammand Naeem Siddiqui and S Prajapati-- yesterday wrote a letter to Chief Secretary, demanding that they be relieved from their duty and transferred elsewhere.

"The letter has been given to the Chief Secretary as the minister used abusive and undignified language against his staff despite best efforts by them. This has led to tension among them. Due to the minister's behaviour, officers and employees are unwilling to work with him. He should immediately be removed from the Akhilesh Yadav ministry or should be kept without a portfolio," Yadvendra Mishra, President, UP Secretariat Association, told PTI.

Of the seven staffers, Siddiqui and Prajapati did not sign the letter as they were not present here, but have expressed support, Mishra said.

He said that the association was serious on the matter and had approached the CM and Chief Secretary, for their intervention.

"When the minister is not satisfied with the working of the staff, they should be transferred elsewhere. Also, it should be ensured that the minister mends his language," he said.

Anjani Gupta, leader of the Secretariat Employees Union, said that they support the cause of their colleagues and would stand with them.

When asked, a senior officer of the Secretariat accepted that the letter has been received, but did not elaborate on it.