RTI query: Why was auditor transferred? Official reply: Under political pressure

“In this transfer case, there were many requests made, both in writing and orally, by local representatives. Based on this the transfer was considered,” states the reply, adding that the department is inundated by such requests everyday and is under pressure to oblige them.

Days after More was transferred, on February 17, Pandurang Bhau Karanjakar of the Brashtachar Nirmulan Samiti filed a request under the RTI Act, asking the cooperatives department why More had been transferred barely a year after he was appointed in the district. On March 16, Karanjakar received four pages from Information Officer D B Patil, including departmental notings on the matter.

More had moved to Nashik in 2004 and audited NDCC bank’s 2004-05 records. In his report, he had pointed out serious lapses in the functioning of the bank and highlighted alleged corruption. The report also made serious note of the bank’s inability to recover loans from certain individuals.

On February 4 this year, More was suddenly transferred to the Tribal Development Authority in Nashik, before he could complete his three year tenure.

As per documents provided in response to the RTI query, the Cooperatives, Marketing and Textiles Department received a request from Pingle saying that since there were complaints against More, he should be transferred out of the district.

Pingle’s first reaction to the report was one of complete denial. “It has nothing to do with me,” he said. “My party workers or office staff may have sent the transfer request.” But later, he added: “In any case, More had done a long stint in Nashik earlier. He was transferred out for just six months before being brought back in.”

Ironically, the department had initially rejected the transfer request stating that since More had not completed his tenure, he could not be moved out of Nashik district.