Transfer-posting industry flourishing in Bihar: RJD

Patna, July 9 (IANS) A day after Chief Minister Nitish Kumar cancelled the transfer and posting of 149 officers of the Land Record and Revenue Departments, the RJD slammed the "double engine" NDA government as transfer-posting industry is flourishing in Bihar.

"Massive corruption is taking place during the months of June and December every year and it was proven on Friday when Nitish Kumar cancelled the transfer-posting of 149 officials. It is an open secret in Nitish Kumar government that bribes are taken for the transfer-posting," RJD national spokesperson Mritunjay Tiwari said.

Tiwari pointed out that not only the ministry of Ram Surat Rai, who holds charge of the departments concerned, but every ministry is having the same situation.

Noting BJP legislator Gyanendra Singh Gyanu had alleged earlier that large scale corruption was taking place in every ministry for transfer-posting, Tiwari said that their leader Tejashwi Yadav has also mentioned corruption in transfers and postings in the Assembly.

He also said that BJP legislator Gopal Narayan Singh had claimed that BJP and JD-U is "a mismatched alliance in Bihar" and if this is so, why are they running the government together. "The BJP and JD-U are in the government to eat 'malai'," he said.

Senior RJD leader Bhai Virendra said: "After such corruption emerged in the government, Nitish Kumar should throw out Ram Surat Rai from the government."

Reacting to the issue, Rai said: "It is a special privilege of the Chief Minister to cancel the transfer-postings. I will give clarification, if needed. As far as RJD is concerned, they are in the opposition. Hence, it is not a big issue, if its leaders are criticising it."

Bihar Governor Phagu Chauhan on Friday cancelled the transfer and posting of 149 officers of the Land Reforms and Revenue Departments, on the recommendation of the Chef Minister.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar found something fishy in the transfer and posting of 149 circle officers, settlement officers, and consolidation officers of these two departments, and recommended the cancellation.

The Land Reforms and Revenue Departments are under the charge of Ram Surat Rai, of the BJP, and he had issued four notifications for the transfer and postings of 149 officers on June 30.