Govt hands transfer orders to 19 BDOs

Controversial move SEC says order could face legal hurdles as BDOs are made poll officers.

In an unprecedented move just before the notification for the panchayat polls is to be issued, the state government has transferred 19 Block Development Officers (BDOs) raising eyebrows in the political and administrative circles. Many have questioned the intent of the transfer as the government has not cited any reason for doing so. During the panchayat elections, the BDOs are made the returning officers for poll duty.

The transfer order came to light on Wednesday with a section of officials alleging that it has been made purely on political grounds. The officers who have been shunted out have reportedly refused to comply with the order from the local leaders of the ruling Trinamool Congress.

They have been transferred as deputy magistrates of their respective sub division. Debopriyo Biswas, the SDO of Khatra sub-division in Bankura, has been transferred to Asansol Durgapur Development Authority, while Amal Kanti Roy, the SDO of Alipurduar, has been transferred to Malda as Additional District Magistrate.

One of the BDO, who has been handed the transfer order, said: " We are not complying with the order and we will speak with the higher authority."

Senior officials at the Writers' Buildings, however, added that they are astonished to see as many as 10 junior BDOs been transferred to sub-division as deputy magistrates without having requisite experience and qualification. This, they said, may cause serious administrative problems if there is vacancy at the BDO level during the panchayat elections.

Senior officials of the State Election Commission, however, added that there could be legal hurdles if such an order has been issued by the government. The posts of BDO cannot lie vacant especially during a time when panchayat polls will be held, they said.

... contd.

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