In an unpopular decision by the Karnataka government led by Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, IAS officer Rohini Sindhuri has been transferred out of the Labour Department just six months into her new posting. The move has also triggered outrage on social media with many calling for her reinstatement.
The transfer comes at a time when Rohini was set to launch popular schemes like mobile creches for children of construction workers as the secretary of Karnataka Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board.
A source close to Rohini alleged that the friction in the department was primarily due to two reasons: A suggestion to transfer the Board's funds for flood relief and over calling for tender for a helpline. Rohini was under pressured to take certain decisions, the source said.
However, another IAS officer countered this view and said that tenders had been called for the helpline and since there was a Supreme Court judgment against diverting funds for other purposes, the plan was dropped at initial stages.
This said, the source close to Rohini says that they believe firmly that there were vested interests behind the transfer, “The post is very low profile. There would be hardly any interest from politicians as there is little to gain for, nor is it prestigious,” the source told TNM.
The transfer also comes just days after a similar controversial decision to transfer out senior IAS officer Munish Moudgil as Commissioner Survey and Settlement has triggered outrage among the public. While Munish had been retained in the same position following the outrage, Sindhuri is holding on to her post due to the model code of conduct put in place for the bye-polls.
Speaking to TNM, Captain Manivannan, the Labour Department Secretary, said transfers are prerogative of the government.
He said, “Allegations do happen when one changes the status quo. But, the labour department will continue its reform process towards transparency and efficiency towards serving the workers.” He, however, suggested the transfer could be a result recent protest by trade unions on Freedom Park held on September 19.
But sources close to Rohini Sindhuri said this possibly could not be the reason as the labour unions had protested against the central government over the dilution of labour laws and not any state policy.
Swamy, General Secretary, National Centre for Labour, one of the unions who held the protest told TNM, “We have not asked for any transfer of officials. We were protesting against the centre’s policy of bringing in anti-labour codes.”
When social media users asked Captain Manivannan if he was responsible for the transfer, he replied, "Nobody has the power to 'protect' anyone here! I myself have been transferred 18 times in 20 years service. I already did what I can: to request the govt to kindly consider her continuation in the department."
IGP Railways D Roopa wrote to Captain Manivannan on Twitter, "I think that is also the point of disagreement between you and Rohini sindhuri. She wants to call tenders and give equal opportunity while you want it to be in favour of one citizen. That's not citizen friendliness. It in fact works against the spirit of democracy and welfare state." Roopa was speaking about the tender for the helpline that the department wanted to launch
I think that is also the point of disagreement between you and Rohini sindhuri. She wants to call tenders and give equal opportunity while you want it to be in favour of one citizen. That's not citizen friendliness. It in fact works against the spirit of democracy n welfare state
— D Roopa IPS (@D_Roopa_IPS) September 24, 2019
To this Captain Manivannan replied, "Not true, ma'am! I have issued a clear Govt order dated 7.8.2019, to call for tenders. Based on that tender called & under process now. KEONICS was just a temporary stop-gap arrangement for the 30 day period till finalization of tenders. I never lose track ofwelfare & law."
Not true, ma'am! I have issued a clear Govt order dated 7.8.2019, to call for tenders. Based on that tender called & under process now.
— Captain Manivannan (@mani1972ias) September 24, 2019
KEONICS was just a temporary stop-gap arrangement for the 30 day period till finalization of tenders. I never lose track of welfare & law!
Though the senior IAS officer maintains that he had nothing to do with Rohini's transfer, the political class including the Chief Minister have come up with no justification over why she was shunted out.