Gariyaband district Collector Hemant Pahare has been removed from the district, informed Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sunil Kujur on Saturday. He has been replaced by Chief Executive Officer, Naya Raipur Development Authority, Amit Kataria.
Notably, the BJP had registered a complaint against Collector Pahare alleging that he was working in favour of the Congress party candidate Ajit Jogi. After receiving the complaint, the office of the CEO had invited a panel of three IAS officers after which the name of Amit Kataria was approved. Sources here in the office of the CEO informed that apart from Amit Kataria name of SN Brahmane and Dilip Vasnikar were under consideration.
The BJP had alleged that Pahare was forcing his subordinates to favour Congress candidate. Pahare had also worked as OSD to former Chief Minister Ajit Jogi, sources said. Amit Kataria after taking the charge, talking with reporters, said that his first priority would be to ensure free and fair election is conducted in Gariaband.Notably, Gariaband falling under Mahasamund constituency will go for polling on April 17.