Bhupalpally Collector transfer ahead of Medaram Jatara raises eyebrows

Bhupalpally/Warangal: The transfer of Jayashankar-Bhupalpally District Collector A Murali, just three weeks before the commencement of Medaram Sammakka Saralamma Jatara, is attracting criticism from different sections.

The leaders of Opposition and Adivasi organisations were worrying that the Collector’s transfer and appointing another official on full additional charge (FAC) to the post may severely affect already delayed jatara arrangements.

In an order on Tuesday, the State government posted Murali as Director, State Archives, appointing Mancherial Collector R V Karnan as the in-charge. “The government must withdraw its decision as it may have negative impact on jatara works,” demanded Tudum Debba state vice-president Komuram Prabhakar.

Speaking to The Hans India on Wednesday, he complained that majority of jatara works are not yet completed. Medaram is already witnessing the rush of devotees on Sundays and Wednesdays, considered auspicious and they are facing shortage of drinking water and toilets.

Firstly, release of funds was delayed and secondly enough funds were not granted. And now the Collector, who has been monitoring works for several months, was transferred. It indicates government’s indifferent attitude towards Medaram Jatara, he alleged.

Former chief whip G Venkata Ramana Reddy and Mulug ex-MLA P Veeraiah have demanded the government either to continue Murali in the post or to appoint a regular District Collector immediately. Since Karnan was appointed on FAC basis, he may not be able to monitor the works properly. Even if a regular Collector is appointed now, he may not enough time to have a grasp of the affairs related to jatara arrangements, they pointed out.

Majority of the works are still pending. “Deputy Chief Minister K Srihari, Endowments Minister A Indrakaran Reddy and State officials are reviewing the works progress sitting at secretariat. It can’t help to speed up works,” they noted.

A handiwork of ruling party MLAs?
Meanwhile, rumours were rife that political interests of the ruling party MLAs are behind the transfer of Jangaon and Mahabubabad District Collectors A Devasena and Preethi Meena. They both have had trouble with local MLAs at their respective places.

Devasena made open comments against alleged land encroachment by MLA M Yadagiri Reddy while Preethi Meena filed a complaint with police against MLA B Shanker Naik for his reported misbehaviour with her some time back.

On the other hand, it was being said that the government is planning to merge Warangal Urban and Rural districts to create a single district. Even as 15 months passed since new districts formed, the problem of locating rural district collectorate not resolved yet.

The order issued transferring the District Collectors on large scale on Tuesday omitted Rural district for which, Urban Collector Amrapali Kata made in-charge in the place of previous Collector Prashanth J Patil. This is giving strength to the speculations on merger of both the districts.