The State Government on Monday finally transferred Rural Development Department Secretary Arun and posted him as Mines Secretary with additional charge of Commissioner, Mines Department. The development, however, did not come as a surprise for many, who have been keeping an eye on the land and infrastructure related controversy at the State Institute of Rural Development (SIRD) and the Rural Development Minister KN Tripathy's disagreement with the IAS officer in day-to-day work.
The Minister, on Sunday, had visited the SIRD Campus in Ratu Road and had directed the officials to come with a detailed report on why the offices of SIRD were being shifted from the old north campus to south campus. He had also raised doubts that the action was being taken by some people with evil intent to grab the land worth crores of rupees in connivance with senior officials.
The controversy of SIRD campus came to light when the offices of the institute were suddenly shifted from the north campus to the south campus. Many, including politicians, alleged that the land of north campus was being vacated in order to be sold to some private parties.
The situation became worse when the main gate of the north campus was found locked with the name of a Ratu Road based businessman written on the lock. The Minister visited the place after the lock was broken by police in the presence of the magistrate.
Tripathy, during his inspection of the SIRD campus, had sought a probe from the departmental secretary and had instructed to submit a report in three days.
He had also said that he would complain to the Chief Minister about the Secretary and others who were not listening to his orders.
Sources revealed that the Minister was unhappy with the Secretary for not following his dictats. It was also stated that the Minister used to ask for files of different departments and schemes through different officials. Ironically, sources added that the Minister had made a noting in one of the department's files to suspend the Secretary despite the fact that a Minister doesn't have the power to suspend a Secretary level officer. He can only recommend to the Chief Minister or the personnel department for the purpose.
Neither the Minister nor the Secretary was available for comment on the issue. However, bureaucratic circle was abuzz with talks on the development and political intervention in governance in the State.