Southern States - Tamil Nadu

'Saidapet transfers a violation of code'

By R. K. Radhakrishnan

CHENNAI April 19 . With the byelections for three Assembly seats slated for May 31, the DMK today urged the Election Commission to look into ``violations'' of the code of conduct in transfer of Chennai Corporation officials in the Saidapet constituency here.

The MP, C. Kuppusami, in a memorandum to the Chief Election Commissioner, J. M. Lyngdoh, claimed that 10 junior level engineers and one assistant executive engineer were transferred from divisions falling within the constituency ``at the instigation of the ruling AIADMK.''

Mr. Kuppusami claimed the action of the Corporation Commissioner in-charge was ``illegal and against the election laws and code of conduct.''

The issue figured in the Assembly also with the DMK member, M.P. Saminathan, demanding an explanation from the Government on the transfers made two days after the poll announcement.

The Mayor and DMK leader, M. K. Stalin, alleged that the order was pre-dated. ``The officers have been given marching orders with retrospective effect from April 16,'' he told The Hindu.

Neither he nor the Corporation council was consulted on or apprised of the transfers. As many as 25 such transfers were effected in the city, without his knowledge, he said. When contacted, the Commissioner in-charge, A. Karthik, said the transfers took place on April 16.

Though the formal communication on the election schedule was yet to reach the Corporation, it was conveyed to him that the announcement was made on April 17. Hence, there was nothing wrong in the transfers, he claimed.

According to the EC Handbook for Returning Officers, the code for the party in power says: ``From the time the elections are announced by the Commission, Ministers and other authorities shall not make any ad-hoc appointments in Government, public undertakings, etc.''

An official said it was not advisable to make transfers, through the authorities could explain that the personnel were not connected with election work.

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