Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has put the transfer of seven IAS officers on hold after the state’s chief electoral officer objected to the move as they were involved in the revision of electoral rolls.
Chief secretary Ratna Prabha told News18 that the government would wait for the Election Commission’s approval.
Of those transferred Monday, two were serving as deputy commissioners in districts. Deputy commissioners are also the designated district electoral officers in most cases. The revision of electoral rolls ends on February 28.
The CEO had written to the chief secretary that such transfers are discouraged and this was made clear to the government in a not sent by the election office on January 17. The note said that officers who are involved in summary revision of rolls must not be disturbed from their posts until the process is completed.
"Officers like district electoral officers, assistant electoral officers and election registration officers can be transferred only after consultation with the office of the CEO - so they were reminded about that," chief electoral officer (CEO) Sanjeev Kumar told News18.
The missive to the government comes amid another controversy surrounding this transfer. It has been alleged that the DC of Hassan district, the parliamentary constituency of former PM HD Deve Gowda, was shunted out for being honest.
Gowda alleged that the government wants to take some kickbacks during the organisation of the once-in-12-year Jain festival Mahamastakabhisheka, which is held in the Jain pilgrim centre of Shravanabelagola in Hassan.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, however, brushed aside these allegations, and said that since the model code of conduct is yet to kick in, transfers cannot be questioned.
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