Uttarakhand: Government’s transfer order hangs in the balance, Panchayati Raj department surprised by secretary’s decision

The Panchayati Raj Department is in the headlines these days for many such decisions, which are being considered against the rules and laws. The latest case is related to the transfer of those Gram Panchayat Development Officers who were hanging in the balance, whom the government transferred without the information of the Directorate. The shocking thing is that in the Panchayati Raj Department, Gram Panchayat Development Officers are the posts of the district cadre and in the transfer order they were posted from one district to another. On the other hand, after the issuance of this order, there is a state of panic among the officers in the Panchayati Raj Department. However, after this order of Panchayati Raj Secretary Harishchandra Semwal, Director Panchayati Raj Nidhi Yadav has issued orders to attach the transferred officers to the Directorate.

First Panchayati Raj Secretary Harishchandra Semwal transferring the Gram Panchayat Development Officers to other districts and then Director Nidhi Yadav stopping this order calling it against the rules is increasing the tussle between the government and the Directorate. However, from the facts that have been kept at the Directorate level, the orders related to the transfer of Secretary Panchayati Raj Harishchandra Semwal appear to be contrary to the rules. It is clear from the letter written at the Directorate level that this decision of the government has not only violated the rules, but it will also affect the roster of the concerned post at the district level. Not only this, in some districts the number of officers posted will also increase as compared to the sanctioned post.

In view of these situations, the Directorate of Panchayati Raj has asked to reconsider the order of the government once again. Another important fact is that the Panchayati Raj Secretary transferred the Gram Panchayat Development Officers just before the code of conduct came into force. To know the reason behind these transfers made by Panchayati Raj Secretary Harishchandra Semwal, the team of ETV Bharat also reached the Secretary’s office to meet him, but could not meet him. On the other hand, after the transfer of district cadre officers to other districts at the government level, the officers included in the list have also come into confusion. Although the Model Code of Conduct is in force due to the Lok Sabha elections, but after the end of the code of conduct on June 6, a big decision is possible on this.