Thiruvananthapuram, March 5 (IANS): In what has come as a surprise, a senior bureaucrat on Thursday came out strongly against the decision of the State cabinet which transferred a junior IAS officer, without his knowledge.

Senior bureaucrat, Principal secretary (revenue) V. Venu's letter surfaced in the media where he has written to the Chief Minister and Revenue Minister expressing his strong displeasure in the sudden removal of young IAS officer V.R. Premkumar from the post of director of Survey and Land records.

The decision was taken at the weekly cabinet meeting held here on Wednesday chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

"Premkumar was posted only a few months back and has been handling all matters relating to the department with responsibility and diligence. As the Secretary in charge of the department, I have full satisfaction with his work. It is shocking that he has been removed without any discernable reason. I should have been consulted. The abrupt transfer of a young IAS officer will not only demotivate him, but send a negative signal to the officers serving in responsible positions," read Venu's letter.

"As a leader of a team, I feel that it's my responsibility to take this issue up as this affects the morale of my officers. I would urge the Chief Secretary to submit this matter for reconsideration of Chief Minister and Council of Ministers, so that the decision is revoked and he is posted back," said Venu.