Even after issuance of transfer order more than a week ago, the new District Magistrate of Almora has not taken charge of office. Officials concerned of the district administration claim to have no information as of now about the joining of the new District Magistrate.
However, it is only the new District Magistrate who could say about his resuming of charge of office in Almora, but one thing is certain that the ‘arbitrary’ transfers by the State Government have not gone down well among the officials in the State as the people here believe.
It may be recalled that the State Government had transferred Almora and Nainital District Magistrates on January 15 along with repositioning of some other officials.
Following the Government’s order, the then Nainital DM AS Hayanki resumed his new assignment at the CM office and Almora District Magistrate Akshat Gupta took charge as the Nainital DM.
But Ravinath Raman, who is discharging his duties as Additional Secretary in the Government, has not yet resumed his duties as the new District Magistrate of Almora.
Though officials concerned of the Almora district administration have refused to talk on the issue, it seems as the general feeling in the corridors of power here suggest the State Government’s ‘arbitrary’ transfer of officials and that too every now and then has demoralised the officials.
And it is nothing but the same ‘arbitrary’ order of the State Government that has led to creation of headless administration in Almora at a time when the panchayat polls are to be held soon, apart from routine, but important public works.
No new official is willing to take charge of office this time when the Himalayan State is heading for panchayat polls as they are fearing that they may again have to bear the brunt of any adverse outcome of the upcoming local body elections.
The social commentators and old hands in Kumaon affairs here believe that transfer of officials seems to have rather become a tool in the hands of their political masters. Officials duly follow the orders from their superiors. But interference of the ruling party or the Government only hits development, they add.
Apart from busy schedule of panchayat polls ahead and the general election later this year, many natural disaster related works apart from ongoing developmental projects remain pending before the respective district administrations.
Closing of the current financial year has also necessitated early completion of these greater public interest works. But transfer of officials in such fashion is quite unperceiving, they further maintain.
The general public and the social activists here are of the view that it was the then Nainital District Magistrate’s tough action against mining mafia in the district that led to his transfer.