One month in office, secretary moved out of Ramanthali again

Payyannur: Ramanthali panchayat, where secretaries seldom stay long, has once again witnessed the transfer of its secretary barely a month after the official took charge. The secretary, who assumed office in the first week of August, has now been shifted to Thrikkarippur panchayat, and no replacement has been appointed for the transferred official.

Interestingly, Ramanthali holds the record for receiving the highest number of panchayat secretaries. Most officials allotted here either seek a transfer even before joining or manage to move out within a month or two of assuming charge.

As a result, over the last five years, the panchayat has had a full-time secretary only for brief periods. In most cases, the assistant secretary or the head clerk has had to shoulder the responsibilities of the secretary. Even when transfers are sanctioned, the appointment of a replacement rarely happens promptly. This time, too, no successor has been named. Under the current circumstances, a new secretary for Ramanthali is likely to be posted only when the next promotion list is released.