Kolkata: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed the West Bengal government to immediately halt the departmental transfers of IAS officers currently deputed for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in the state. These officers belong to the West Bengal cadre and are temporarily assigned to the Commission to oversee the ongoing electoral roll revision.
In an official communication addressed to West Bengal Chief Secretary Nandini Chakraborty, ECI Secretary Sujit Kumar Mishra reminded the state government that any future transfer orders concerning IAS officers deputed to the Commission must have prior approval from the Election Commission.
The ECI further instructed that during the SIR period, the Chief Secretary must ensure no transfer of any officer involved in the process is carried out without the Commission’s prior consent. This directive is aimed at maintaining the integrity and smooth functioning of the SIR exercise.
The Commission had appointed 12 Electoral Roll Observers, including five Divisional Commissioners, on deputation to supervise the SIR process. Recently, the ECI took note of transfer orders issued by the West Bengal government for three IAS officers – Ashwini Kumar Yadav, Randhir Kumar, and Smita Pandey – without obtaining the Commission’s prior permission.
Such unauthorized transfer orders violate the Commission’s instructions. The ECI has therefore ordered that these transfers be immediately revoked. Additionally, the state government has been requested to seek prior approval from the Election Commission before issuing any similar orders in the future. Compliance confirmation is to be submitted to the Commission by 3:00 PM on January 28.
As of now, there has been no official response from the West Bengal government or the ruling Trinamool Congress regarding this directive.
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