Date: 31 December 2014 at 01:13
Subject: Unjustified indefinite suspension without pay and withdrawal of my resignation.
To:
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected]
Good Evening Acting Permanent Secretary for Education
I refer to my letter of resignation sent to you only yesterday based on your unjustified indefinite suspension without pay. I resigned because of duress and frustrations caused to me by the Minister. The effective date of resignation is 29th January 2015 and this is procedurally correct as per GO/ HR policy of MOE "that a months notice shall be given to the employer" when there is an intention to exit.
I also know that there is a norm in the Ministry of accepting the withdrawal of resignations before the effective date of resignation. I have watched FBC TV news this evening where the Minister Dr. Reddy is quoted saying "that I resigned to avoid an investigation" and further the Fiji Sun reporter is quoting the Minister saying "I was investigated by PSC and I am unable to provide my reply".
Madam A/PS both the statements by the Minister are incorrect /false and misleading. I have never been investigated by PSC nor questioned by the Minister on the issue of Bhawani Dayal Arya College. I resigned because I was frustrated and under duress at the manner in which I was treated as a senior civil servant of this country. I am definite you haven't obtained any advise from the Solicitor Generals Office on this matter. This indefinite suspension without pay given to me is a personal vendetta of the Minister and it is illegal. The disclosures provided with the suspension letter is compiled by Director Secondary and junior officers of the Ministry and it contains their names and signatures. This case is 3 months old and the investigations were completed two months ago.
I also know that the teachers who gave evidences against the Principal were transferred out on the directive of the Minister and the Principal who is his good friend is now retired. Your office needs to note that the recording of the mobile communication without my authority and putting it to circulation is an offence. It is in breach of the Communications act and your decision to suspend me and your plans to terminate me later on this illegal acts of the unbecoming teachers is a planned deliberate act to finish me off. I am convinced that you are not able to provide sound advises to the Minister and you both are failing to comply with the disciplinary procedures of the government.
I have been a loyal and committed civil servant of this country providing the nation with quality education from the position of an Assistant teacher, Head of Department Commerce, Assistant Principal, Vice Principal, Principal of a small school to a very large school, Senior Education officer Secondary, Principal Education Officer Secondary, Director of Secondary Education, Deputy Secretary Primary and Secondary and then acted as the Permanent Secretary for Education for 5 months with an outstanding contribution at every level of my service. I boast with dignity having a good knowledge of the system.
The directive for suspension hasn't come from PSC but the office of the Permanent Secretary thus the message is very clear that the Minister has been instrumental in the rescindment of my acting appointment, revert me to Deputy Secretary post and then use the powers as per the constitution to finish me from the system. "Monday 22nd December 2014 in his board room he made a comment to me in the presences of the post processing unit while I was discussing with him a post of Senior Secretary advertised for his office" he said and I quote "stop flying very high" unquote.
He had already decided to finish me and my letter of rescindment was received by the PSE office on 23rd December 2014. A/PSE I need to clear myself from the stigma that the Minister is now casting on me after I opted not to fight but quietly and with dignity resign from the service with a good name. My husband and I after a lengthy discussion and with deep regrets had come to an agreement to end my career as a teacher administrator. It was painful but I took it as my destiny thinking this Minister would tarnish my image and reputation. I had decided to go out with fond memories of my very healthy and successful civil service career. I am now formally withdrawing my resignation and ready to be investigated. I want truth to surface and evil to end for good.
I am also very politely and humbly requesting the Honorable Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister to appoint a team to investigate the Minister for Education Dr. Reddy. I have highlighted his breaches of civil service procedures in the letters sent earlier. The Minister Dr. Reddy is a human being like me and he is just there by peoples choice for service. He should also be sent on leave to allow for a fair and an independent investigation I understand the Ministers are politicians and their positions are ceremonial. Their approaches to the staff and the general public has to be friendly and diplomatic to win the hearts of people under their leadership.
Whilst the Honorable Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister are according respect and dignity to women leaders, Dr. Reddy is hell bent to destroy my aspirations, self respect, my achievements, attainments and my civil service career path.
I also request that my investigation is carried out under the supervision of another Minister and independent investigators who are familiar with the civil service procedures and will not be manipulated by the Minister for Education Dr. Reddy.
I want my name cleared from this cheap plotting by the Minister Dr. Reddy as he is revenging. An independent and a transparent investigation will prove me innocent as I have always performed my duties with dignity and within the ambit of my duty statements.
Basundra Kumar (Mrs.)
Deputy Secretary Primary and Secondary and former A/PSE
TPF 54693