Amid political row poll panel puts transfers of Rohini Sindhuri, other DCs on hold

Bengaluru, Jan 23: The Karnataka chief electoral officer (CEO) Sanjiv Kumar on Tuesday halted the transfers of Hassan deputy commissioner Rohini Sindhuri Dasari and Haveri and Ramanagara DCs, citing technicalities.

Sindhuri's sudden transfer ahead of the Mahamastakabhisheka starting February 7, had received flak from the opposition, in particular the JD (S).

Former PM and Hassan Lok Sabha member HD Deve Gowda alleged that Siddaramaiah transferred Sindhuri at the behest of district minister AManju, as the IAS officer had refused to allow misappropriation of funds earmarked for the Mahamastakabhishekha.

Gowda said he will inform President Ram Nath Kovind of the matter and his decision to boycott the inauguration of Mahamastabhishekha, where Kovind is the chief guest.

BJP, JD(S) unhappy

The transfer of Hassan Deputy Commissioner Rohini Sindhuri Dasari sparked a political row with Janata Dal (Secular) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda accusing district in-charge Minister A. Manju of getting her transferred for not allowing “cuts” in civil works taken up for the Mahamastakabhisheka event in February.

Barely six months after her posting in Hassan, Ms. Sindhuri has been shunted out allegedly following pressure from Mr. Manju.

Condemning the transfer, the BJP has decided to hold a protest in front of Mourya Circle in Bengaluru on Wednesday. Former Home Minister R. Ashok said the BJP women’s wing will protest against “the transfer of an honest IAS officer.” Both the BJP and JD(S) staged protests in Hassan too.

However, a Dalit group welcomed her transfer by distributing sweets. Sathish, district president, Republic Party of India, said the transfer was necessary as the officer had no concern for Dalits.

CM defends move

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah defended the decision and said: “She was transferred for administrative purposes.” Interestingly, in a letter dated November 7, 2017 to the IAS officer, the Chief Minister appreciated the work of Ms. Sindhuri in implementing ‘Bele Sameekshe’ (crop survey) in a short span of time through a mobile app in the district.

KPCC president G. Parameshwara said there was no politics in her transfer and termed it as “routine administrative transfer.”

It has been alleged that Mr. Manju and other Congress leaders had been putting pressure on the Chief Minister to transfer the officer.