Acting on the directive of the Election Commission of India (ECI), the State Government has transferred three district Collectors and the DIG of Police of Southern Range for their alleged roles in favour of the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD). The ECI’s move involving action against four senior officials, perhaps unprecedented in Odisha, has been highly appreciated by people in general.
The order was carried out late on Thursday night following allegations by five political parties that these officials were working as agents of the ruling BJD. The allegations were brought to notice of Election Commissioners HS Brahma and Dr Nasim Zaidi at a meeting here on Wednesday.
Khordha Collector, Niranjan Sahu was shifted and in his place labour Commissioner, Shalini Pandit was posted. Kendrapada Collector Ratnakar Rout was transferred being replaced by Excise Commissioner Nitin Bhanudas Jawale.
The other Collector who was transferred is Shyam Sundar Nayak of Nabarangpur and he was replaced by Project Director, DRDA, Malkangiri, Sadiq Alam. DIG of Southern Range Amitabh Thakur was shifted from his post with his replacement being IG (Provisions) Susant Nath.
The representatives of the five political parties had alleged the use of police vehicles and ambulance vans for transportation and distribution of cash among the BJD workers and voters. They had also complained against Special DG of Police Sanjib Marik for extending support to the BJD in its election campaign.
It may be mentioned that Election Commissioner HS Brahma, in a press briefing on Wednesday, had made it clear that disciplinary action would be taken against these officials if the allegations against them were found to be true.
The commission, after getting evidence against the officials, directed the Government for their immediate transfer. Besides, the commission also asked the Government to submit a panel of officers for replacement of the three district Collectors. later, it finalised the names of the officials from the panel on the basis of which the Government effected the reshuffle.
This time, more and more officers are reported to be getting openly close to the BJD, and mostly OAS officers are not able to maintain neutrality, feel observers.