Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.
Credit: DH Photo
Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Wednesday issued strict instructions to Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh to immediately withdraw the transfer orders of five chief engineers (CEs) from the Public Works Department (PWD) to the Water Resources Department, citing a lack of his prior approval.
The transfers, executed on May 9 by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) under CM Siddaramaiah, involved posting the CEs to key divisions including interstate water disputes, neeravari (irrigation) projects, Yettinahole project, Command Area Development Authority’s (CADA’s) irrigation project division and the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation.
Notably, chief engineer B H Manjunath, currently serving in the Police Housing Corporation, is set to retire on May 31, and the transfer order directed the new engineer to report to the soon-to-be-vacant post.
In a formal note dated May 13, Shivakumar reminded the chief secretary that at the time of the government’s formation, it was clearly communicated that no transfers or appointments related to his department should be made without his explicit approval.
Though these engineers have already reported for duty and submitted transfer certificates, Shivakumar strongly objected to the breach of protocol and demanded immediate revocation of these orders.