CM keeps up tradition with spate of transfers

The research paper, titled ‘‘Effect of Transfer and Promotion on Employees’ morale’’, says that on an average, a mere 17.6 per cent of officers have stayed in a district for a year or more.

In fact, UP is perhaps the only state in the country where over 6,000 IAS and IPS officers have been transferred in the last eight years. The high mobility of officers owing to frequent change of CMs has led to a situation in the state where no officer, barring rare exceptions, has been able to remain in any district for more than 18 months since 1991.

Mayawati remains unfazed by criticism pouring from every corner. ‘‘I am not doing anything unprecedented. Transfer of officials is the prerogative of each CM. There have been more transfers in Punjab than here. Charges are being levelled that in UP, transfers have assumed the shape of an industry.’’

But a senior IAS officer was quick to dismiss her contention. ‘‘Punjab has just one-fifth of the IAS and IPS cadre as compared to UP and that state is better placed on the economic front. Drawing comparison with Punjab is nothing but an attempt to befool people whose money is misused in footing bills of the transferred officials,’’ he said.

Opposition leaders say the way the CM was going she would set new records in this respect. Charged NCP leader Ramesh Dixit: ‘‘this time she is going very fast and will leave a landmark on transferring officials.’’