By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The transfer and posting of Government officials in the State appears to be a political decision. As earlier reported in the media a particular police officer was transferred for allegedly arresting a bootlegger hailing from the constituency of Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh.
Media reports stated that the police officer earned the Home Minister’s ire after registering a case against a bootlegger who hails from Lyngdoh’s constituency, Sohiong.
B C Shadap, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Umroi police station was served the transfer order on March 3, last directing him to assume duty in Tura despite strong opposition from the local people.
A similar approach was also adopted on the transfer of Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner T Dkhar to the Fisheries department but Dkhar who allegedly enjoys the support of the coal and cement lobby was reinstated as DC of Jaintia Hills arousing suspicion that the transfer was stayed at the behest of the coal an cement lobby who put pressure on the political bigwigs of the State.
A notification on July 16 2010, had clearly stated that Deputy Commissioner, Jaintia Hills District, T Dkhar is transferred and posted as Secretary to the Govt. of Meghalaya, Fisheries Department with immediate effect but this order was arbitrarily stayed.
Consequent upon Dkhar’s transfer, M Kharmujai, MCS, Director, Land Records & Surveys, Meghalaya was posted as Deputy Commissioner, Jaintia Hills district but the very next day a notification was issued stating that T Dkhar is reinstated as the Deputy Commissioner of Jaintia Hills.
Officers of the State cadre are demoralised by the politicisation of transfers and postings under the present Government and resent the fact that some of their colleagues toe the political line only to become the blue-eyed boys of politicians. Some have even said that these arbitrary transfers will affect their performance and delivery of governance.