GHMC staff can’t be axed

New circular cancels transfer orders issued by two zonal commissioners

Taking note of internal wranglings in the civic body, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) commissioner D.S. Lokesh has warned the civic body’s zonal chiefs against transferring or sacking any official in violation of existing orders. According to highly-placed sources in the corporation, zonal commissioners in Kukatpally and LB Nagar have sent back two deputy executive engineers (DEEs) to their home departments, without citing any reason. They appointed to oversee ongoing infrastructure works by their administrative chief.

The sources said the zonal commissioners have acted in contravention of the existing orders. They have also reportedly exerted pressure on the civic body chief through influential people.

Displeased by the turn of events, the GHMC chief has issued a new circular cancelling transfer orders issued by zonal commissioners and cautioned the officials against such actions in future. The circular said any order relating to posting or transfer issued by the zonal commissioners in violation of the existing policy would be treated invalid.

A GHMC official said that the two cases were just the tip of an iceberg. “The zonal commissioners wanted to have their close associates in crucial positions as the civic body has fasttracked the implementation of high-cost infrastructure works like Comprehensive Road Development Project (CRMP) and Strategic Road Development Plan. So they have been transferring existing employees without assigning any reason in gross misuse of power,” he explained.