Bir Devinder criticizes ‘mass transfers’ of Punjab Officers amid COVID crisis
Chandigarh, May 28, 2021:
Former deputy Speaker of Punjab Vidhan Sabha and senior leader of Shiromani Akali Dal (Sanyukat), Bir Devinder Singh has criticized the ‘mass transfers’ of Punjab IAS and PCS officers during the peak time of COVID-19. He demanded the withdrawal of these orders as the officers were struggling to protect people from deadly pandemic.
In a statement issued here on Friday, Bir Devinder Singh said that transfers of 22 IAS and 30 PCS officers caused a flutter and deep sense of disquiet among the officers of the Punjab Government, who were doing excellent jobs at the risk of their own life.
He further said that even the couples had not been spared in this order. Some of the officers were performing duties to the best of their abilities in the crucial areas, helping the medical fraternity as front warriors. Instead of appreciating their admirable outstanding services they have been deracinated arbitrarily amid COVID pandemic, without pragmatic application of mind.
The former deputy speaker giving example said that SAS Nagar (Mohali) seemingly was the worst affected district of this order where except the Deputy Commissioner, most of the officers had been transferred out of the district.
Intriguingly the execution of the flawed order, issued on May 26, 2021 has been put on hold till June 5, 2021, in view of the prevalent COVID-19 situation as per the orders of the Chief Secretary as if the Covid-19 pandemic would be completely eradicated from Punjab by 5th June 2021. Ironically during this intervening period, the Sword of Damocles would keep hanging over the heads of the officers, he added.
‘The Soldier’ Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh should know and adhere to the age-old proverb; that “it’s not advisable to change horses in midstream”, said Bir Devinder.