Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady (DV)
Beltangady, Jan 30: Billawa organisations have severely condemned Beltangady MLA Harish Poonja for writing a letter to chief minister Basavaraj Bommai recommending the transfer of the lady range officer of Udupi zone.
Shri Gurunarayana Swamy Seva Sangha said that writing to the chief minister recommending the transfer of the forest officer Sandhya Sachin to Bidar district for initiating action against timber theft was condemnable.
A statement issued by the Sangha stated that Sandhya has written a letter to the the organization in which she has alleged that Poonja has been pressuring the Karnataka government to transfer her. "The way he is putting pressure to transfer Sandhya to a faraway district shows the hatred he has for officials from the Billawa community," the Sangha said.
"Instead of taking steps to prevent illegal acts such as timber theft, the MLA for no reason is punishing officials who are taking action against such miscreants.
"The organisation will urge the chief minister to withhold the transfer of a sincere officer who fought against illegal acts," the Sangha said.
It is said that two months ago 'Panchamuki' Balakrishna Shetty had allegedly illegally trodden down several trees worth crores in Kalmanja of Beltangady taluk. As per the complaint, when Sandhya along with her staff raided the spot, it was found that several valuable trees were cut down. The officer registered the case and seized the timbers and a lorry that belonged to Balakrishna Shetty.
The deputy conservator of forest who came to know about the issue had suspended four officers from Beltangady range forest. Hence, allegedly due to rivalry, the MLA succeeded in transferring the officer to Bidar district. It is said that the MLA himself recommended the chief minister to transfer the officer. The letter written by MLA Harish Poonja to chief minister Basavaraj Bommai and an order copy of the transfer are making rounds on social media.
Sandhya Sachin, range forest officer of Udupi zone of forest mobile squad, has also been serving as in-charge officer of Dakshina Kannada district forest mobile squad.
President of Shri Gurunarayana Swamy Seva Sangha, Chidananda Poojary Elddka speaking to daijiworld said, "The decision taken by the MLA to transfer the lady officer is not fair. We were told that the officer has two daughters. Conducting raids against illegal cutting down of trees is not a crime but a duty. Transfers are common in government jobs but transferring an officer over political rivalry and sending them to a particular place is not right. This is also not good in a democracy setup. Her husband is an agriculturist. Can he go along with his wife?"
Women officials targeted?
It is alleged that women officials are often at the receiving end of the workings of political machinery. Soumyalatha, an excise official, who conducted several raids against illegal liquor sales done by a local BJP leader during the legislative council elections was allegedly transferred within a month.
Two weeks ago, police sub-inspector Soumya was transferred after she booked a case against Sangh Parivar leaders for issuing threats to the deputy commissioner during a protest in Karinja. It is said political interference in bureaucracy by MLAs has created a difference of opinion among a section of BJP leaders.