PANAJI
After a stern message over non-compliance with the transfer order, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued a fresh directive, this time to IAS officer Prasad Lolayekar, currently the Education Secretary in Goa, to immediately take charge of his posting in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The ultimatum comes nearly eight months after Lolayekar and colleagues, IAS officers Sanjith Rodrigues and Swetika Sachan, were transferred under routine AGMUT cadre reshuffling.
Despite the September 2024 transfer order, the trio had not been relieved from their current posting. The MHA has now made it clear that any further delay will attract punitive consequences under service rules including disciplinary proceedings, debarment from promotions, central deputation and other service-related privileges.
Of the three, Rodrigues reported to the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie this week for training ending June 4, after the MHA rap. Rodrigues is then expected to proceed to his new post in Ladakh.
The State government has, however, maintained stoic silence on the matter, even as uncertainty hangs over offices currently held by these IAS officers. Rodrigues, who also served as CEO of the Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Ltd (IPSCDL), is reportedly not being replaced amid the already delayed projects.
Official sources confirmed to The Goan that several other officers transferred by the MHA in its latest order are also not relieved.
Former North Goa Collector Sneha Gitte and her husband, former South Goa Collector Asvin Chandru, as per the May 16 order have been posted to Arunachal Pradesh. Yashawini B, who was handed additional charge of North Goa Collector after Gitte was shunted over administrative lapses resulting in the deadly stampede, is also posted to Arunachal Pradesh. She too continues to serve in Goa with her prime charge being Director of Fisheries.
In a surprising reversal, IAS officer Swapnil Naik, a Goan native transferred from Arunachal Pradesh to Chandigarh, has also not been relieved by the counterpart, despite the transfer being issued over eight months ago.
The MHA, in a recent communication to all states and Union Territories under the AGMUT cadre, categorically stated that “all requests for cancellation or stay of transfer orders have been dealt with” and any new pleas will “not be entertained.”
The Personnel Department, Porvorim officials remained unavailable for comments despite attempts by The Goan.
