No vindictive transfer of govt employees: Pinarayi Vijayan

Thiruvananthapuram, June 29: A war of words ensued in the Kerala Assembly today on the alleged mass transfers of government employees after the CPI(M)-led LDF government came to power, even as Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, assured that there will be no "vindictive" transfers.

Replying to an adjournment motion moved by P T Thomas (Cong) seeking discussion on the transfers of about 3,000-odd government employees, Vijayan said the allegation was not true and there will be no "vindictive" transfers.

All government employees will be treated equally, he said. In the state Secretariat, there are 4000-odd employees and less than 50 have been transferred.

There are 5.5 lakh government servants in the state. The transfers are normal and not vindictive as was being pointed out, he said. "We have an open mind on transfers. There will be no vendetta transfers.

Government is prepared to look into it," he said, adding, the allegation was being raised by the opposition as it was yet to come to terms with their defeat.

Thomas said after the new government came to power last month, at least 3,000 employees had been transferred to even Mumbai and Delhi. Patients suffering from kidney-related ailments and cancer were among those who have been transferred.

Kerala Administrative Tribunal directions on transfers have not been followed, Thomas said. Opposition leader, Ramesh Chennithala attacked Vijayan saying the "language used by him was not fit for his post."

The Chief Minister said the government would not take any steps that were "inhumane" and there was no need for any apprehension in this regard.

The employees, though they may be associated with different party-based organisations, were government employees and would be treated equally.

Chennithala said thousands of people have been transferred throughout the state and outside and urged to end political transfers.

PTI