There have been allegations of irregularities in the transfer of clerical staff of the Revenue Department under the Keonjhar district administration. A list which was released on Saturday last has stoked widespread resentments among a large section of employees whose genuine cases have been ignored.
Sources revealed that some clerical staff of the district are remaining in good book of the top brace of the district administration by employing some illegal means. Their aim is to keep working in the Keonjhar collectorate.
By working for years together, they have managed to be in total control of the district administration and those who fail to satisfy their whims, are facing a lot of harassment.
As per the Government rules, there should be continuous rotation of staff after working in the same post for three years at regular intervals. But such rules are thrown to the wind for the vested interest of some people.
It is alleged that some senior clerks such as Jaya Govinda Mishra, GVC Shastri and many others are working in the Collectorate for years together. They have not been transferred where as senior staff like loknath Munda who has hardly completed two years as head clerk in the same Collectorate was transferred back to Champua block.
Previously, Munda, who was working as a senior clerk in the Champua block, had been transferred to district headquarters on promotion. In place of Munda, one Dhyana Ranjan Sahoo, senior clerk of Civil Supply Department was placed in the establishment section as head clerk. It is alleged Sahoo has already worked in the Collectorate for 11 years.
last year, though he had been transferred to the Civil Supply Department, but was working in the Collectorate on deputation.
likewise, though there is some relaxation for frequent transfer in case of certain category of employees, but the case of one Kaminikanta Mahanta, senior clerk, who is actually physically handicapped is not considered to work in the headquarters in spite of requests for several times. Handicapped Mahanta, an inhabitant of Keonjhar town, has been working in the Chamua and Barbil area.
last time, he was transferred to Jhumpua block. But on the other hand, in another case, an employee who is said to be a fake handicapped is in the Collectorate for the last 19 years.
There are so many other staffers who have been working in many important sections of the Collectorate and the headquarters town undisturbed and if any transfer is effected, then they are brought back to the Collectorate on deputation and made permanent soon.
Now, a question arises is: Why the Government rules are twisted to show favour to these employees, while there are more efficient and capable staff who are working in the distant block and Tehasil offices, who can never dream of a transfer to the headquarters townIJ
When contacted, Keonjhar ADM Dr Bhaktacharan Pradhan avoided a question on the issue.
Meanwhile, district BJP president Radhakanta Mahanta has registered strong protests over the irregularities.