LARKANA, Feb 17: The district council on Monday called for cancellation of transfer orders, issued in the education and revenue departments, without consulting the district Nazim.

The demand was made in an urgent meeting of the council, chaired by its convener, Nazir Ahmed Bughio.

Amir Baksh Gaad, prime mover of the motion and the council’s chief whip, said that the DCO was bound to consult the district Nazim before ordering transfers and postings of officials in BPS- 16 and BPS-17.

Criticizing the EDO (education), he said that the EDO was acting beyond his jurisdiction by transferring officials belonging to BPS-18 and even BPS-19, adding that the EDO was only authorized to transfer officials of BPS-6 to BPS-11.

He presented fresh appointment orders before the council, issued by the EDO (education) despite the ban on recruitment.

Speaking in support of the motion, Aijaz Leghari, Ms Nasim Sahito, Badaruddin Abbasi, Mohammed Hayat Shaikh, Taj Mohammed Baloch, Ali Abdullah Shah, Dr Niaz Ahmed Chandio, Lutfullah Soomro, Mohib Pirzado, Athar Abbas Solangi, Shabir Hakiro, Nisar Ahmed Bhutto and others, said that the matter should immediately be referred to the National Reconstruction Bureau, architect of this system.

They also accused the Sindh revenue minister of interfering in the affairs of the district government.

On the occasion, the district Nazim, Khursheed Junejo, said that a distinct line had been drawn between the powers of the district Nazim, ministers and secretaries.

The amended local government ordinance, he said, clearly stated that the minister was not empowered to transfer anyone.

Mr Junejo said that if he (the minister) wanted to transfer someone, he should move a summary with the concerned department and only then could he transfer the person.

Recently, he said, 56 Tapedars and six Muhktiarkars had been transferred in the district without consulting him.

Describing the issue as being the “ego problem” of certain ministers, Mr Junejo said that it was engendering imbalances in the district government system, adding that the situation could no longer be tolerated.

While defending the rights of the forum with documentary evidences, he said that the district government would tap all available legal routes, adding that if it failed it would go to court to remedy the situation.

Urging all the officers concerned to immediately cancel the transfers made without consulting him in the revenue and education departments or face the consequences.

He said the matter of officials violating the settled rules and regulations could be referred to the anti-corruption officials.

Mr Junejo, while calling for an end to what he called the “on-going practice,” said that the government functionaries should be instructed not to bypass his authority in important matters, which, according to him, was in violation of the Sindh Local Government Ordinance 2001.

Later, the convener of the meeting prorogued the session.