Guwahati, Nov 6: The Assam government has suspended five senior Assam Civil Service (ACS) officials for failing to comply with their transfer orders and breaching the 2015 office memorandum guidelines on transfer and posting.
The suspended officials, all serving as election officers in Assam’s Election Department, include Saroj Kumar Deka, then Assistant Commissioner, Parbatjhora; Kabyashree Dihingia, then Election Officer, Baksa; Jintu Sarma, then Assistant Commissioner, Jonai; Parishmita Dehingia, then Election Officer, Bokakhat and Kangkanjyoti Saikia, then Election Officer, Tinsukia.
The Personnel Department of Assam issued these suspensions on November 4, invoking Rule 6(1) of the Assam Services (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1964. The memorandum (AAP.34/2015/3 dated February 19, 2015) mandates that transfer and posting orders must be implemented within a week of receiving the order, with any representation against a transfer only considered after the officer has complied with the government directive.
Saroj Kumar Deka was posted as election officer (EO) of Majuli on September 17, but he refused to join Majuli and wanted to be placed near Guwahati on personal grounds.
Kabyashree Dihingia’s then-election officer, Baksa, was transferred as EO to Dima Hasao on September 25, but until October 1, she refused to join the new place, thereby disobeying the office order. On September 29, she wrote to the CEO requesting him to withdraw her from the Election Department instead of complying with the order.
Jintu Sarma, assistant commissioner, Jonai, was transferred and posted as EO of Majuli on September 25, but he refused to join the new posting. On September 27, he conveyed his unwillingness to join Majuli citing personal reasons and also to relocate his place of posting to nearby Guwahati.
Parishmita Dehingia, election officer, Bokakhat, was transferred and posted as election officer of Sivasagar on September 25, but she has refused to accept her new posting.
Kangkanjyoti Saikia, then election officer, Tinsukia was transferred and posted as election officer of Barpeta on September 25. But he refused to join and requested the CEO to release him from the Election Department.
