Thaindian News

Ranchi, July 15 (IANS) The frequent transfers and postings of officials during president’s rule in Jharkhand have come under scathing criticism from all political parties in the state.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) say the transfers and postings have emerged as a “business” during president’s rule.

In the last one-and-a-half months of president’s rule, at least 32 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers have been transferred.

The deputy commissioners of seven districts have also been changed. More than 42 deputy superintendents of police and over 130 grade B services have been transferred during president’s rule.

Government sources said more large-scale transfers of Indian Police Service (IPS) and IAS officers are in the offing.

“Transfer and posting business is flourishing during president’s rule. When we came to power after one year of president’s rule, we did not effect such large-scale transfers and postings,” Raghubar Das, former deputy chief minister in the Shibu Soren government and state BJP president, told IANS.

He said: “The central government should immediately intervene into the matter and put a ban on large-scale transfers and postings.”

Echoing this, JMM central committee member Supriyo Bhattacharya said: “Governor M.O.H. Farook had issued directions to the Soren government not to effect transfers and postings when the political crisis was prevailing in May.”

The Congress is also not happy with the large-scale transfers and postings.

“Bureaucrats are involved in such practices. The governor seems to be not aware of the facts and we will suggest he direct officials to desist from such acts,” Pradeep Balmuchu, state Congress president, told reporters.

President’s rule was imposed in Jharkhand June 1 after Soren resigned from chief minister’s post May 30.