Mass transfers at Kottayam municipality leaves officers baffled
Mass transfer at Kottayam municipality has left officers baffled after 89 employees were transferred amid a vigilance investigation.
Mass transfer at Kottayam municipality has left officers baffled after 89 employees were transferred amid a vigilance investigation.
Mass transfer at Kottayam municipality has left officers baffled after 89 employees were transferred amid a vigilance investigation.
Kottayam: Amid facing a vigilance investigation in a case related to stealing ₹2.4 crore from the pension fund by a former employee, Kottayam municipality is surprised by the mass transfer. In a shocking move, 89 employees in the department have been transferred. This is probably the first time in the state that so many employees are transferred at the same time from a municipality.
There is a total of 157 employees in the municipality including the central office in Kottayam as well as the regional offices in Kumaranelloor, Nattakam and Thiruvathukkal. Meanwhile, the department of local self government states that the mass transfer is part of the routine transferring process. However, most employees have applied online for transfer due to recurrent cases and office-based investigations. Those who have been working here for three years got transferred as per the guidelines.
Mass transfers happened when the request of the employees who had been working here only for over a year got approved by the directorate of local self government. Meanwhile, officials who are replacing the transferred officers are taking charge at various offices. The order of transfer was issued two weeks ago while the transfer order of LD clerk and attender posts are yet to be issued.
Akhil C Varghese who was a clerk at the Kottayam municipality had allegedly transferred money from the pension fund to his mother P Syamala’s account. A vigilance investigation is being held in this case. The director of local self government had recommended to obtain this amount from the 29 employees who are currently working here. Around Rs 3.4 crore would be obtained including the restitution interest.
The municipal secretary, in the police complaint, alleges that Akhil C Varghese had transferred the money between February 25, 2020 and October 16, 2023. Akhil continued to steal money even after being transferred to Vaikom.
The police haven’t been able to nab the accused who is still in hiding. The department has suspended Akhil.