CHENNAI: As a first step towards preparing itself for the Assembly elections, the state government on Thursday transferred nine top police officers in the rank of inspector-general across the state.
Though most of them were not serving in the same post for more than three years, the transfers by home secretary Apurva Varma is seen as a prelude to the ensuing Assembly polls.
“Transferring nine IGs on a same day cannot be treated as a regular departmental transfer, particularly at a time when Chief Electoral Officer Rajesh Lakhoni has sought details of pivotal officers serving for more than three years in the same post or same district”, said a joint secretary. There are also strong reports that the next set of transfers is for IAS officers serving for long duration in districts and at local bodies, he said.
Ripon Building sources also confirmed that Corporation Commissioner Vikram Kapur is in the process of being transferred and orders are expected within this month, as the officer has completed three years last December at the civic headquarters that will monitor the polls for 16 Assembly constituencies.
Similarly, Chennai Collector E.. Sundaravalli who assumed charge in March 2013, will also be completing her three year term by March 2016 and is likely to be shifted. Tiruvallur Collector Veeraraghava Roa had also completed three years in the post. Perambalur Collector Darez Ahmed, who won the coveted Prime Minister’s award for excellence in public administration for thwarting more than 300 child marriages since 2011, is also awaiting transfer, election department sources hinted.
However Collectors of Salem, Tiruchi, Kancheepuram, Tuticorin and Tirunelveli may not be transferred as they joined their posts only recently.
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