Netas miffed over 'unilateral' transport transfers in AP

HYDERABAD: Senior TDP ministers are miffed over the sudden transfers in the transport department against their recommendations. The ministers complained to chief minister Chandrababu Naidu against the `unilateral' transfers executed by transport commissioner N Balasubramanyam and endorsed by special chief secretary B Som Bob. Contrary to the `tradition' where ministers used to recommend the names of officers to be posted at `cash minting' checkposts, transport officials have transferred more than 300 officers in one go.
Posts such as motor vehicle inspector, checkpost incharge, assistant commissioner and joint commissioner are in high demand. Many ministers have recommended officers of their choice.
For the first time, the transport department has decided to follow the track record of officers to give them new postings. Those who were `involved' in corruption cases or irregularities have been shifted to non-focal posts. Officers, who did not work at check-posts, have been posted there.
Earlier, posts at checkposts were allegedly auctioned for anything upward of Rs 10. Ministers used to recommend officials who were close to them.
“There are five integrated checkposts and eight inter-state checkposts in the state and posting at these spots is regarded as a money minting opportunity .Ministers used to grab all these posts but, for the first time this was thwarted,“ said a senior government official.
As per the transport department estimates, about Rs 50 crore used to change hands in the name of transfers every year and for the first time, ministers, MLAs and MPs were not allowed to interfere.
“Take the case of Tetagunta checkpost in East Godavari district. There was pressure to post officials there. Similar ly, Kothuru in Krishna district is also under heavy demand from ministers,“ said a senior official in the government.
Miffed over not honouring their recommendations on transfers and postings, finance minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu is learnt to have brought the issue to the notice of the chief minister. The minister had allegedly recommended eight officers.
Ministers Bojjala Gopala Krishna Reddy , Paritala Sunita, Devineni Umamaheswar Rao, P Pulla Rao, Ch Ayyanna Patrudu, K Mrunalini and Sidda Raghava Rao too, allegedly sent recommendation letters for plum postings for their men.
“This time we have followed a process based on their previous performance. Officers whose track record was good were given key posts. The entire process was completed in a transparent and foolproof manner and all the officers have joined their new postings,“ Balasubramanyam told TOI.
Besides Tetagunta and Kothuru, other important checkposts are Renigunta, Palamaner and Naraharipet in Chittoor, Penukonda in Anantapur, Purushottapuram in Srikakulam and BV Palem in Nellore district.