KOZHIKODE: Dr Devendra Kumar Dhodawat was removed from the post of Agriculture Secretary as he had not yielded to the demand of Agriculture Minister’s Office to endorse an untimely transfer list of 96 agriculture officers, it has been reliably learnt.Highly placed sources in the Agriculture Department told Express that the officer had refused to second the transfer list as it was prepared by the minister’s personal assistant, flouting norms. Sources maintained that this was the immediate provocation for the minister’s office to act against him. When contacted, Dhodawat refused to comment on the issue and said, “it’s the prerogative of the government”.Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister K P Mohanan’s office said the department needs officers who could effectively implement the government policies. “There is nothing more to add,” said G Shaji, minister’s private secretary. The minister was unavailable for comment.It may be recalled that the Agriculture Minister, just days after assuming power, removed the then Agriculture Secretary A Jayathilak. Sources maintained that Jayathilak was ousted as he also refused to endorse certain ‘adjustments’ in the transfer of postings.Usually, agriculture officers said, the transfer lists are prepared by the Agriculture Director, which will be further executed with the minister’s approval. Officers allege that the minister’s personal assistant had reversed the entire process by preparing a list on his own. Sources pointed out that the agriculture directorate had not even put up a file for this transfer.Meanwhile, agriculture officers allege corruption and favouritism behind such a mysterious move. According to them, certain agriculture officers with vested interests, with the support of personal staff of ministers, have formed an association of agriculture officers under the Socialist Janata (Democratic) party and it has been pioneering such moves.The general transfer of krishi officers was held during April, earlier this year.Besides, the notification for next year’s general transfer has to be issued in December, 2011, so that posting can be completed before the commencement of the financial year. Sources maintained that the secretary was reluctant to go ahead with this anticipating the consequences of such a transfer in the middle of the academic year as well as the financial year.It was the last Cabinet meeting that had decided to oust Dhodawat from the post attributing the shuffle to strengthen the department in view of the ongoing agriculture crisis. K R Jyothilal, secretary of the general administration department, has been given the additional charge of Agriculture portfolio. Dhodawat is yet to be given a post.
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