Oppn stages walkout over mass govt staff transfers

Thiruvananthapuram: Opposition staged a walkout from the assembly for the second consecutive day on Wednesday after speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan denied leave for an adjournment motion moved over alleged large-scale transfer of govt employees in violation of norms.

The adjournment motion was moved by CPM MLA V Joy, who alleged that govt carried out mass transfers of employees bypassing established rules and procedures.

As chief minister V D Satheesan wasn't present in the assembly, replying on behalf of govt, power and environment minister Sunny Joseph said transfers were a routine administrative exercise and any complaints raised by employees would be examined. Following the minister’s response, speaker declined permission for the adjournment motion.

Joseph strongly rejected opposition’s allegations and maintained that all transfers had been carried out strictly in accordance with the rules and prescribed guidelines. He said May was traditionally a period when a large number of govt employees retire from service, necessitating routine transfers and postings across departments. Defending govt’s actions, Joseph cited replies by former chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan in previous assemblies regarding transfers during previous LDF govt’s tenure.

However, Joseph’s explanation failed to satisfy opposition, prompting sharp criticism from opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan. The opposition leader alleged that the transfer process had begun even before the new govt formally assumed office. He said nearly 2,000 employees had been transferred in violation of rules and procedures.

Vijayan accused govt of taking punitive action against employees for sharing social media posts. Suspending employees for such reasons was a cruel measure, he said.

He criticised govt’s decision to terminate contract employees working in Kudumbashree without issuing prior notice. He described the action as inhumane and said courts found some of those employees eligible for regularisation.

With speaker refusing leave for adjournment motion, opposition members walked out of the House in protest.