The state government’s major shake-up among the IAS cadre witnessed a pitched battle for postings, with a lot of last-minute surprises. On Thursday, the list was changed thrice in three hours, before a long roll of 36 officers was released.
Sources said the list was first prepared by Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda, with 24 names, after taking inputs from the police intelligence wing. However, in the last minute, former CM B.S. Yeddyurappa who came to participate in the coordination committee meeting, wanted certain changes to the list and consequntly, the list grew to 36 officers.
Though the list was prepared by 1 pm, Mr Yeddyurappa pressed for changes in the postings also. Barring top two positions, where Forest secretary Koushik Mukherjee replaced Mr Subir Hari Singh as Developmental Commissioner and Mr Hari Singh was posted as Additional Chief Secretary, most of the other postings were changed.
Dr C.S. Kedar, who returned from central deputation, was tipped to be Industries and Commerce secretary. However, he was posted as BDA chairman and Mr M.N. Vidyashankar was posted as Industries and Commerce secretary.
The chief minister wanted to appoint Mr G.V. Krishna Rau as Home secretary and Mr V. Umesh as Forest secretary. However, Mr Rau was sent to Cooperation department while Mr Umesh was moved as Home secretary.
Mrs Anita Kaul, who also returned from central deputation, was first tipped for post of Home secretary, but was later moved to Planning Department while Mr R. Sridharan was posted as Forest secretary.
BDA Commissioner Bharath Lal Meena, who was replaced by Mr Pradeeep Singh Kharola, was first named as RDPR secretary, but later moved to Agriculture department.
In Mysore too, there were two controversial transfers. MCC Commissioner Mr Raikar and ZP CEO Mrs G. Sathyavathi, who were at loggerheads with Medical Education minister S A Ramdas, have been transferred.