Before leaving for Delhi this morning, in what is believed to be a damage control mission, Bihar Governor Buta Singh called on Chief Secretary G S Kang in a last-ditch effort to win him over on the controversial transfers of IPS officers last week, including Siwan SP Sanjay Ratn.But the Governor’s effort went in vain as the Chief Secretary, who has proceeded on long leave in protest against the transfers, reiterated that he would not resume office till remedial steps were taken.According to sources, Buta Singh was summoned by the Home Ministry to clarify his stand over the transfers and Kang’s ‘protest leave’.When contacted by The Indian Express, Kang said, ‘‘Yes, the Governor met me this morning.’’ He, however, refused to ‘‘divulge’’ what transpired in the meeting. ‘‘The situation has not changed and thereby there is no question of me altering my decision,’’ said Kang. The Buta camp, too, refused to reveal details of the meeting but a senior IAS official said, ‘‘Does it need to be clarified that the Governor was there to assuage the sentiments of Kang?’’Though belatedly, the IAS association of the state held an ‘‘emergency’’ meeting today and expressed solidarity with the Chief Secretary. The association also urged the Governor to ‘‘mend those circumstances which led the CS to proceed on long leave’’.‘‘We have urged the Governor to create a cordial atmosphere and enable the Chief Secretary to return to work. At the same time, the association also requested Mr Kang to resume office,’’ said R S Tiwary, association president.Asked whether the association would urge the Governor to stall the transfers, Tiwary said, ‘‘We have appealed to the Governor to bring about a change in the circumstances which led the Chief Secretary to proceed on leave.’’The meeting, according to insiders, was stormy with some officers accusing the association of not expressing solidarity with the Chief Secretary. Over six IAS officers were seen walking out of the meeting midway—Home Commissioner A K Biswas and a number of other officers kept away.
