THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Revenue Minister E Chandrashekharan on Friday asked Idukki Collector to keep the transfer orders of four Munnar revenue officials in abeyance till the joining of new Sub Collector. The sudden transfer of the four officials including survey superintendent and head clerk had raised severel eyebrows as they formed part of the anti-encroachment team of Devikulam Sub Collector Sriram Venkataraman who was shifted out recently. The transfer decision was seen as a deliberate move at the behest of political vested political interests to derail the anti encroachment drive in Munnar.
When contacted, Revenue Minister E Chandrashekharan said since the transfer order had created misunderstanding, the collector was directed to keep it on hold. “The previous sub collector might have requisitioned these officials because of shortage of hands. There are offices where the required strength is not available. In such circumstances officials are brought in under working arrangement from other places for survey work and eviction activities.
Many officials prefer to go back to their parent offices later. In this particular case the Collector told me that these officials wanted to go back. However, I have asked them to stay put till the new sub collector took charge and made necessary alternative arrangements,” the minister added. He said fresh decision would be taken after the sub collector took charge at Devikulam office. The transferred staff G Balachandan Pillai, P K Shiju, P K Soman and R K Shiju had played key role in the anti encroachment drive led by Sriram Venkataraman.
