ECI: Transfer Two Officers With Proximity To Badal

Chandigarh: As per the media reports the Election Commission Of India has ordered the transfer of Commissioner, Ropar Division, S Karuna Raju and State Transport Commissioner Ashwani Kumar Sharma.

A communication in this regard was sent to the state government this morning, but the latter had not executed the order till the filing of this report.

The Election Commission Of India further stated that since both officers were also attached as special principal secretaries to Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal, respectively, they could not be allowed to hold their incumbent offices in view of ECI directions.

In accordance to the guidelines issued by the ECI no officer can simultaneously hold charge of two important offices when the model code of conduct has been enforced. Whilst referring to undisclosed sources The Tribune reportedly said that the Commission zeroed in on these officers as both were attached with the CM and his deputy’s offices for the past several years.

Furthermore the sources added that the Commission had proposed the names of two IAS officers — currently serving in the departments of Excise and Taxation and Agriculture – as the replacements.

It is said that the state government last week had relieved DGP Suresh Arora of the additional charge of the Chief Director, Vigilance.