Government will not resort to vindictive transfers: Chief Minister

Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister Pinarai Vijayan told the Assembly on Wednesday that the government would not resort to any vindictive transfers against employees belonging to pro-Opposition unions.

The Chief Minister was responding to a notice given by P. T. Thomas (Congress) for moving an adjournment motion seeking discussion on large scale transfer of government employees by the new government.

Mr. Vijayan said that the government would not discriminate against any section of employees. Due consideration would be given to those with illnesses.

He recalled that the previous government had transferred physically challenged employees to distant places.

Mr. Vijayan also quoted from the reply given by then Chief Minister Oommen Chandy when the LDF raised the issues of transfers in the Assembly soon after the UDF government assumed power. Mr. Chandy had then maintained that transfers were not unusual when a new government comes to power.

On the basis of explanation of the Chief Minister, the Speaker declined permission to move the motion.

Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala said that the Opposition was not walking out over the issue as the Chief Minister had promised to make amends. Unfair and politically motivated transfers should be cancelled.

Earlier, Mr. Thomas said that as many as 3000 employees had been transferred after the present government came to power. They included cancer and kidney patients and those nearing their retirement age. Transfer norms had been violated.