Vacancies in top posts hit rehabilitation in Kodagu

The transfer of Special Additional Deputy Commissioner Jagadish, close on the heels of Deputy Commissioner P I Sreevidya going on a two-month leave, has added to the problems of the people affected by the natural calamity in Kodagu.

The rehabilitation measures were being implemented, when the government transferred Special Additional Deputy Commissioner Jagadish, who was in charge of rehabilitation of the victims. The position has been lying vacant for the last 10 days as nobody has been deputed to the post.

Jagadish had come up with a list of victims and had also identified lands for rehabilitation in Karnangeri, K Nidugani, Galibeedu, Made, Sampaje, Biligeri and Jamburi.

In the meantime, Deputy Commissioner P I Sreevidya has availed of two months leave citing the illness of her father in Kerala. Zilla Panchayat CEO K Lakshmi Priya has taken charge as the in-charge deputy commissioner.

Sreevidya had handled the flood situation very well and was taking up rehabilitation activities. Some politicians who were irked by her forthright nature wanted the government to transfer her from Kodagu.

When pressure was mounted on the government by some elected representatives for her transfer, there was a people’s movement against the government. Also, a campaign was carried out in social media not to transfer Sreevidya.

Now, there are speculations on whether there is any other reason behind the deputy commissioner’s long leave.

When the DH correspondent tried contacting the deputy commissioner, she was not available for a reply.

Most of the officials who are deputed to Kodagu these days are from Mysuru region. It could be recalled that the overall monitoring of the recent ‘Kodagu Pravasi Utsav’, along with the responsibility of a department was handed over to a senior official from Mysuru.

This too has been a matter of discussion among government officials.

People have been venting their ire on the administration as the rehabilitation works are hit by an inordinate delay.