Virendra Gahwai, Bilaspur. The High Court has taken major action against the transfer of administrative officers of the state government. The High Court has canceled 215 transfer orders of Tehsildar, Naib Tehsildar, Superintendent Land Records, Assistant Superintendent Land Records and CEO (Tribal Department) of Janpad Panchayat by the state government. Let us tell you that the state government had made the transfers on the basis of the letter issued by the Central Election Commission on 23 February, but on 27 February, the Central Election Commission issued another letter clarifying the order given in the letter of 23 February. After which more than 60 petitions were filed in the High Court against this transfer order.
In fact, in view of the Lok Sabha elections, the state government has issued transfer orders of administrative officers including Tehsildar, Naib Tehsildar, Superintendent of Land Records, Assistant Superintendent of Land Records, CEO of District Panchayat across the state. Challenging this transfer order of the state government, administrative officers have filed separate petitions in the High Court. The petitioner administrative officers have argued that the Central Election Commission has given a new clarification regarding tenure and transfer in the Lok Sabha elections on 27th February. According to which, the rule of three years tenure in Lok Sabha elections is applicable only to Returning Officer and Assistant Returning Officer. But based on the instructions of the Commission, the state government has also issued transfer orders of Tehsildar, Naib Tehsildar, Superintendent of Land Records, Assistant Superintendent and CEO of District Panchayats, which should be cancelled.
During the hearing of the case, Advocate Prateek Sharma and other lawyers argued on behalf of the petitioners and demanded to cancel the transfer order on the basis of the Commission's clarification. At the same time, it was also told from the state government that the Election Commission has issued new guidelines regarding transfer. After hearing all the parties, the single bench of Justice NK Vyas of the High Court has canceled the transfer order.
Let us tell you that in view of the Lok Sabha elections, the state government has issued transfer orders of administrative officers on the basis of the guidelines of the Election Commission of 23 February. According to which 49 Tehsildars, 79 Naib Tehsildars, 5 Superintendents of Land Records, 59 Assistant Superintendents of Land Records and 23 District Panchayat CEOs were transferred.