Punjab: Bathinda DC transferred on directions of Election Commission of India

BATHINDA: Punjab

chief electoral officer

complying with the orders of Election Commission of India on Saturday transferred Bathinda deputy commissioner

Praneet Bhardwaj

.


Punjab cadre 2011 batch IAS officer,

B Srinivasan

has been posted as Bathinda DC in his place. Srinivasan presently was on election duty as general observer at Telangana. Praneet Bhardwaj has been asked to report to department of personnel whereas IAS

Kumar Rahul

has been directed to immediately report as general observer at Telangana to relieve Srinivasan. Till Srinivasan joins, Bathinda additional deputy commissioner will discharge duty as deputy commissioner.

Shiromani Akali Dal on March 22 had filed a complaint to Election Commission against Praneet Bhardwaj demanding his immediate transfer to ensure free and fair elections.


In the complaint filed by Charanjit Singh Brar, political secretary to SAD president, he had written that Bathinda Deputy Commissioner is scheduled to retire in September this year. As per the directions of the Election Commission of India(ECI) any officer who is scheduled to retire in six months should not be appointed as Returning Officer and appointing such officer as RO is violation of the model code of conduct.


Brar had also pointed out that the DC was working in partial manner as he was trying to influence the electorate by asking people going to his office for redressal of grievances to approach Congress leaders and secure their ‘sifarish’. He said people visiting the DC office were also told to support the Congress party which is against all norms.