Questioning the working style of IAS officer Saurabh Gaharwar, General Manager (Investment Promotion) Varun Chandola resigned in protest against salary stoppage and inhumane work culture.
To
The CEO,
UK-SPISE / DG Industries/MD SIIDCUL,
Dehradun
Subject: Resignation from the post of General Manager – Investment Promotion, UK-SPISE, due to non-payment of salary and deteriorating work environment.
Dear Sir,
It is with a deeply conflicted mind that I submit my resignation from the post of General Manager – Investment Promotion, UK-SPISE, with immediate effect. This decision comes not out of a lack of commitment to my work or to the state of Uttarakhand, but because the circumstances within this organisation have left me with no other option.
When I first joined UK-SPISE, I was filled with pride and hope. As a Chartered Accountant and as a son of this soil, I considered it my privilege to work for my home state and to contribute to its economic development. I entered this role after gaining corporate experience, and for me, it was more than just a job — it was a calling. I believed I was part of something bigger than myself, and that belief kept me motivated to work late nights, to go the extra mile, and to never think twice about personal sacrifices. The respect, encouragement, and guidance I received from my earlier seniors made me feel valued, and my colleagues became more than coworkers — they became companions in the shared mission of building Uttarakhand’s future.
However, over the last several months, this spirit has been steadily eroded. The atmosphere of mutual trust and professional respect has been replaced by a climate of fear, humiliation, and constant tension. Instead of encouraging free exchange of ideas, voices are silenced. Instead of being treated with dignity, employees are rebuked publicly. Instead of trusting capable professionals to deliver, they are micromanaged into frustration. This has left even the most committed employees demoralised, with many either resigning or seriously contemplating resignation.
What pains me the most, however, is the sheer disregard shown towards the most basic aspect of professional life — timely and fair payment of salaries. Stopping the salaries of employees, some of whom earn as little as ₹18,000–20,000 a month, for 3–4 months at a stretch is not just unprofessional, it is inhumane. These are individuals who come to the office every day, spend from their own pocket to travel, and give their best to the organisation, only to be denied the right to provide for their families.
In my own case, this hardship has been particularly cruel. In August, God blessed my wife and me with a baby girl — the happiest moment of my life. But what should have been a time of joy and celebration has instead been clouded with anxiety and distress. At a moment when I needed stability to support my wife, my daughter, and my ageing parents, I found myself struggling without my rightful salary. Two months of unpaid dues have left me dependent on friends for financial help — a situation I never imagined I would face in my professional life and when i come back from paternity leave i find that the organisation is not even paying the office helpers then its below my dignity to beg for my own rightful salary.
No father should have to look at his newborn child and worry about whether he will be able to afford basic expenses. No professional, who has given his full commitment to an organisation, should be made to feel this helpless. The constant stress has affected not just my financial condition, but also my mental health. Sleepless nights, fear about the future, and the humiliation of being denied what I have rightfully earned have all taken their toll.
I must state clearly: leadership is measured not by authority, but by empathy. It is in how you treat people when they are most vulnerable. Unfortunately, under your leadership, this organisation has lost that empathy. People are forced to work late, yet punished harshly for arriving even a few minutes late. Professional communication has been replaced by public scolding. Boundaries are not respected, and dignity has been sacrificed at the altar of control.
This is not the workplace I joined. This is not the spirit of service to the state that I believed in. And this is why, with deep sadness, I must step away.
I therefore tender my resignation effective immediately, and request that my pending salary be cleared without further delay. I also request waiver of the 60-day notice period, as continuing in this environment without pay is neither practical nor possible.
My association with UK-SPISE may end here, but my commitment to Uttarakhand will never diminish. I will always remain proud of the work I did here in my own humble way, and I will continue to contribute to the growth of my state in whatever personal capacity I can.
I truly hope that this letter makes you reflect on the way employees are being treated under your watch. Institutions are not built by fear — they are built by trust, respect, and shared purpose. I sincerely wish that one day, this organisation will return to those values.
Sincerely
Varun Chandola
