Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Nov 2: There are rumours that Dakshina Kannada district deputy commissioner (DC), V Ponnuraj, was transferred out of the district because of pressure of certain lobbies, particularly the sand business lobby, which he tried to streamline, and certain contractors, who were unhappy with his strictness in passing bills.

It is also said that the city corporation commissioner, K N Vijayaprakash, was transferred because of the pressure of a few corporators, who were angry that Vijayaprakash was not prepared to bend rules and allow irregularities to be ignored.

Both the above officers had earlier been hailed as efficient officers, but in course of time, fell prey to the designs of disgruntled quarters, which wanted to assert themselves, disregarding laws and rules.

However, Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister, Krishna J Palemar, claimed on Monday November 1, that no pressure lobbies had worked in the transfer of the DC, Ponnuraj. Replying to queries raised by mediamen while participating in a private programme in the city on Monday, he said that the Chief Minister enjoys absolute powers to transfer deputy commissioners. He said that in transferring Ponnuraj to Shimoga, this power was not abused. He reasoned that Ponnuraj was shifted there as that district was in need of a good DC, and that the transfer was like lending his services there, and that there is a possibility of him being transferred to this district again, later.