PMMMK plea to reconsider transfer of Karaikal Collector

The Puducherry Maanila Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (PMMMK) has urged the government to reconsider the premature transfer of D. Manikandan who served as Karaikal Collector to the post of Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor.

Former Member of Parliament and PMMMK president M. Ramadass said the transfer of the officer could have been put off for a while to maintain continuity in administration, especially as it was less than a year since his posting in February last year.

Moreover, even during his short stint, the officer had earned a reputation of being a fair Collector. He also seems to have thoroughly studied the backwardness of Karaikal, understood the obstacles and challenges there, attempted to resolve them and prepared micro-level plans to accelerate the growth of Karaikal, the PMMMK leader said.

The Collector had also proved to be responsive to public grievances and stayed connected with the people and their issues through outreach initiatives. His unearthing of large-scale temple land grabbing incidents, along with an efficient police official, also sent out a message of deterrence to those with ill-intent, the party said.

When a normal official posting was for a period of three years, reassigning an efficient officer within a year of his posting, had the potential to raise eyebrows among the public, the PMMMK said.

The party sought the intervention of the Lieutenant Governor to cancel the transfer order to allow the officer to continue as Karaikal District Collector for another two years.