The Maharashtra government finally submitted its compliance report to the Election Commission of India (ECI) regarding the transfer of officers who have completed three years in a district. In its preparation for the forthcoming assembly elections, the ECI had issued a directive to carry out transfers and set the deadline of August 20 to file compliance report but the state government was non-compliant despite repeated reminders.
It provoked the ECI to shoot off a letter asking for explanation from the Chief Secretary and the DGP on September 27. Maharashtra Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik (IAS:1988:MH) had then said that the government would submit compliance report to the ECI on Monday, which she finally did.
The EC had, virtually, issued a directive on July 31 to all the states where elections are to be held shortly to relocate officials who have served in their home districts or current posting for over three years. While other states, going to the polls, responded with required report, Maharashtra failed to act despite repeated reminders by the EC. It had led the EC to express strong displeasure at the delay and seek explanation for the failure to comply with its order.
There are more than 100 inspector-level police officers and many revenue officers holding key positions in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra who were to be transferred as per the EC’s directive.
