A deviation of transfer norms: T.N.

By Suresh Nambath and Radha Venkatesan

CHENNAI, AUG. 2. Six days after the controversial transfer of three State police officers to the Cabinet Secretariat, the Tamil Nadu Government today sent its reply to the Centre.

The Chief Minister, Ms. Jayalalithaa, told reporters that the letter was sent by the Home Secretary, Mr. Naresh Gupta. However, she refused to elaborate.

According to sources, the State Government, in its letter, informed the Centre that the appointment was a ``deviation of transfer norms and guidelines''.

The letter stated that the Centre had flouted its own guidelines and norms on deputation of All-India Services officers which were ``communicated to the States from time to time''.

Significantly, the State also pointed out that the three police officers who were transferred were not eligible for ``inter-State deputation''. For, the three officers were not on the ``offer list'' annually given by the State Government for deputation to the Central cadre.

Also, the Chennai Police Commissioner, Mr. K. Muthukaruppan, was on the ``debarred list'' for Central deputation. In case officers opt out of Central deputation or the State Government refuses concurrence for their transfer, they are put on the ``debarred'' list for a stipulated period.

As for Mr. Muthukaruppan, the ``period of debarment'' was yet to expire. Hence, his appointment to the Cabinet Secretariat by the Centre was a ``violation of its own norms''.

Similarly, the Joint Police Commissioner, Mr. S. George, had recently been sent back to the State, and was on what is called the ``cooling period''. During this period, an officer cannot be transferred back to the Central Government posting as per established conventions.

So also, the Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Christopher Nelson, a promotee IPS officer, was not eligible for inter-State transfer as his ``rank'' was yet to be fixed.

Interestingly, the State Government's letter has not alleged that the transfers of the officers, involved in the arrest operation of the former Chief Minister, Mr. M. Karunanidhi, were politically motivated under pressure from the opposition DMK.

As for the DGP, Dr. Rajagopalan, who has been appointed to the National Security Guards, the State Government is yet to send its response. As of now, it has decided not to spare his services.

Meanwhile, Ms. Jayalalithaa said the issue concerned all States and not just Tamil Nadu. ``What happened to Tamil Nadu today can happen to other States tomorrow.'' Asked whether the Chief Ministers of other States had replied to her letter, she said it was too early to expect a reply.

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