Succumbing to escalating pressure from citizens, the state government has decided to retain D Randeep as Special Commissioner to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagar Palike (BBMP). Randeep was one of the 12 IAS officials who were to be transferred last Friday. His transfer was revoked after hundreds of people strongly criticized the move and filed an online petition demanding the Government’s decision to transfer an exemplary officer of Randeep’s calibre be overturned.
What happened?
On November 30, a circular with the list of IAS offices to be transferred, signed by H D Kumaraswamy, Karnataka Chief Minister stated that Randeep would be posted to Social Welfare Department, reported The News Minute.
Following the transfer order, citizens started an online campaign, where 900 people came together asking the government to revoke its directive. People signed the petition with the demand that he gets his position back.
“Shocking that IAS officer Randeep was abruptly transferred just when he was starting to make an impact. He is effective, clear-headed, clean and cares about the city and its citizens,” Priya Chetty tweeted, as reported by The New Indian Express.
Shocking that #IAS Offr Randeep D, Spl Commnr for Health & SWM abruptly transferred just when he has started to impact.He’s effective, clear headed & clean.Cares about #city & citizens. Pls help city & sign petition? #WeNeedRandeep @CMofKarnataka @csogok https://t.co/LSPFuh8Usb
— Priya Chetty Rajagop (@priyachettyr) December 1, 2018
Shame on our political system..#weneedRandeep https://t.co/wICyZu7YfX
— Rajeswari Sitaraman (@RajeswariSitara) December 3, 2018
As it was further revealed, a study team had been put together under the aegis of the Deputy CM and Development minister of Bengaluru, G Parameshwara, to visit France for a first-hand evaluation of their acclaimed waste management model and to study the workings of their waste-to-energy plants. The last straw on the proverbial camel’s back was reckoned when Randeep, an obvious choice, was ignored to be part of this overseas delegation as well, reported The Times Of India.
Why?
Randeep had also gained the confidence of waste management activists by taking several initiatives to manage solid waste in the city. He is often acknowledged for setting up the Solid Waste Management Control room, proposals of GPS tracking of auto tippers and compactors and for updating the micro plan.
He was also given credit for implementing the standard operating procedures outlined for BBMP’s Animal Husbandry Department.
Given that he had assumed his position at BBMP a mere five months ago, the transfer orders seemed premature and dubious to many.
BBMP commissioner Manjunath Prasad told TOI that Randeep will continue to oversee its solid waste management department, “He is doing good. I have requested the Deputy CM to retain him,” he added.
Amidst widespread public furore and mounting pressure, the State Government finally retracted his transfer order.
Also Read: 12th Transfer In 13 Yrs, 4th Transfer Since 2016, Who Is IAS Tukaram Mundhe?
