Intent on wriggling out of the festering row over his alleged rude dealing with a Government primary school principal Uttara Bahuguna during his janta darbar, Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat is all set to hit back with a vengeance through vehement implementation of the Transfers Act. To take the sting out of the onslaught mounted on him, alluding to his wife’s posting in Dehradun for years, the CM might ensure that Sunita Rawat figures in the list of the teachers to be transferred to the hard to access schools (Durgam), said one close to the CM. CM has reportedly told the senior officials in clear terms that the transfers should be done strictly in accordance with the act with no relaxation being considered for any, however mighty. The refusal of the state education minister to meet Uttara Pant Bahuguna as assured earlier on Tuesday is being seen in the context of the offensive in store vis-a-vis the transfer act. Observers say that if the CM starts things with his wife, bringing home the message none would be spared the ambit of the act, it might precipitate a profound change in the public perception of the CM whose image has taken a dent in the aftermath of the CM-Bahuguna showdown.
Observers say that strict action is in store for the influential who are adept in tweaking norms to go on long leave and being sent on chosen attachments. All such attachments might be cancelled, they add.
Observers further opine that Uttara Bahuguna has turned into a symbol of fight against rampant favouritism going on in transfers and postings for years. They point out that the public support she is receiving is thanks to the collective anger against arrant nepotism being indulged in in the matter of transfers. “It is not surprising that questions over the posting of CM’s wife and close relatives of other VIPs are coming thick and fast in the aftermath of Uttara showdown. It is manifestation of the long pent-up anger against an unjust, discriminatory system,” says an observer.
Senior journalist and editor of a local magazine Suren Rawat said, “It is opportune moment for the CM to strike down on the long- pampered through relentless implementation of the transfer act. He should usher in the welcome change through sending his wife to a Durgam school and ordering the same against those who are enjoying privileged posting thanks to their connections to the high and mighty. No discrimination should be indulged in, nobody should be spared.”