Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Assembly witnessed a heated confrontation on Wednesday over allegations of politically motivated transfers of employees after the change of government, with former Chief Minister and Opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan accusing power brokers and agents of controlling postings.
The government, however, rejected the allegations, saying transfers were carried out strictly according to established norms.
The Opposition’s adjournment motion seeking a discussion on alleged revenge transfers was disallowed by the Speaker, following which the Opposition staged a walkout.
Raising the issue, CPI(M) legislator V. Joy alleged that transfers were being made without following any criteria and that preferred individuals were being given postings of their choice.
He claimed that 207 transfer orders had been issued across 33 departments, affecting more than 2,000 employees.
Replying to the charges, State Minister Sunny Joseph said the transfers were not politically motivated but were carried out as part of routine administrative procedures.
He said all transfers had been made only after following the prescribed rules and norms.
The Minister pointed out that May was a period when a large number of employees retire, and vacancies arise, naturally leading to changes in postings across departments.
A transfer in one post often results in a chain of changes in several other locations, he said.
Rejecting the Opposition charge that employees were being harassed, Sunny Joseph said the government had not taken any action aimed at lowering the morale of employees.
He assured the House that if there were genuine complaints, they would be examined sympathetically.
The Minister also referred to an earlier discussion in the Assembly in 2016 when Vijayan took over, on alleged irregular transfers, saying the explanation given then was similar, that changes in postings were part of normal administrative functioning.
After the Speaker ruled that there was no need for an adjournment debate based on the Minister’s reply, Pinarayi Vijayan alleged that office-bearers of a ruling front-affiliated organisation were behind the transfer decisions and questioned who had authorised such actions even before the new government formally assumed office.
He alleged that those nearing retirement, women employees, sick persons and members of weaker sections were being targeted and shifted to distant locations.
“Who gave this directive? Under what authority did these senior officials do this?” he asked.
He claimed that the Kerala Administrative Tribunal had stayed several transfers, which he described as illegal, and demanded disciplinary action against officials responsible.
Vijayan warned that the involvement of power brokers and agents in administrative decisions could lead to corruption and chaos.
He recalled that when the Left government came to power in 2016, it introduced transfer guidelines and implemented an online, transparent system.
He also alleged that contract workers attached to Kudumbashree were being removed, calling the move inhumane.
The Opposition demanded cancellation of transfers allegedly made by bypassing norms and action against those responsible.
The dispute ended with the Opposition walking out of the Assembly in protest.
(IANS)
