With more than 100 inspector-level officers and key position-holding revenue officials not transferred as required in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday wrote to the state Chief Secretary (CS) seeking an explanation. Speaking to News18, Chief Secretary of Maharashtra Sujata Saunik said that the report will be filed by Monday. “Compliance report is being filed by Monday. Some departments have passed orders on Thursday,” she said.
The letter from the Commission demanded the explanation from the CS and Director General of Police (DGP) of Maharashtra for failing to fully implement its orders on the transfer of officials ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.
The ECI issued a directive on July 31 to relocate officials who have served in their home district or current posting for over three years, but the state administration has not completed the process. The letter was for Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir as well, along with Jharkhand. The remaining two states and the Union territory have responded and relocated the officials as required. However, Maharashtra failed to do so till date.
As per the EC’s mandate, the compliance report was due in August. While the Additional DGP submitted a partial report, the Chief Secretary has yet to provide a full response.
News18 has learnt that over 100 inspector-level officers in Mumbai and revenue officials, many holding key positions in the state, have not been transferred as required.
On Friday, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar expressed his displeasure over the state administration’s non-compliance, stating that the delay undermines efforts to ensure a free and fair electoral process. The EC has made it clear that further inaction will not be tolerated.
In the letter, the poll body said that the report was to be submitted by August 20 and reminders were issued on August 22; September 11 and 25, directing to furnish the reports urgently.
It also said that the Chief Electoral Officer, Maharashtra on September 25 forwarded a September 13 letter of Additional DGP regarding partial compliance of the Commission’s instructions. “No report has been received in the Commission from the Chief Secretary till date,” it added.
“The Commission has directed that the directions contained in the letter dated July 31… shall be complied immediately and reports sent to the Commission. Further, the Commission has directed the Chief Secretary and DGP to explain the circumstances as to why the compliance reports have not been furnished even after the lapse of stipulated time limit despite the reminders in the matter,” it said.
The elections in Jammu and Kashmir are underway, while the ECI has visited Jharkhand. Currently, the ECI team, under Kumar, is in Mumbai to review the poll preparedness in the state where elections are due.
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