The state’s bureaucrats are being shunted around by the Siddaramiah government at the drop of a hat for no apparent reason other than what the chief minister himself described as ‘administrative decisions.’

This is evident from the sudden transfer of Hassan district’s deputy commissioner, Mrs Rohini Sinduri on Tuesday. She is ,however, not the only one to be abruptly transferred. Such instances are mounting and are a matter of grave concern, to go by former bureaucrats.

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As DC of the district ,Mrs Sinduri was looking after arrangements for holding the Mahamastabhisheka of the 57 feet Bahuball at Shravanbelagol,scheduled for 17 February . Her transfer has taken everyone by surprise as she was also looking into the revision of electoral roles. Importantly, barely 15 days ago, the chief minister himself had publicly praised the no nonsense bureaucrat at a function in the district.

Predictably, the transfer has evoked sharp reactions from the opposition and several former bureaucrats alike who have lamented the fate of what they termed as” honest officials who fell foul of their ministers.”

Even the state election officer has written to the chief secretary, Mrs Ratnaprabha, to say that such transfers are discouraged ,something that was made clear in a note sent to the government on 17 January.

Especially, officers who were involved in the revision of electoral rolls must not be disturbed from their posts until the process is completed,” the election official had maintained. It will not come as a surprise if the government now decides to get the clearance of the chief election officer if it decides to transfer offcials engaged in revising electoral roles.

In Mrs Sinduri’s case, the district in charge minister and Congress party bigwig, Mr Manju ,did not see eye to eye with her .Following repeated complaints from him, the chief minister was quick to oblige with her abrupt transfer, leading to sharp criticism from former Prime Minister and JDS leader,Mr Deve Gowda, and leaders of the BJP.

This, however, is not an isolated incident. Last week, Daskshin Kannada’s Suprintendent of Police,Mr Sudheer Reddy , was transferred suddenly for allegedly acting tough with the sand mafia in the district. Those in the know told The Statesman that the police official paid the price for acting against influential people involved in the illegal trade.