Guidelines followed scrupulously in admn reshuffle:Chidambaram

Addressing a press conference, Chidambaram said transfers and postings of officers of Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram and Union Territories (AGMUT) cadre are not done by the Home Minister but by the Home Secretary along with the Union Territory division of the Home Ministry.

"It is strictly according to norms and guidelines. The Home Secretary has assured me that he scrupulously followed the norms and guidelines," he said.

Chidambaram's remarks came after Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit met him and demanded that the city government be consulted before effecting transfer of top officials of her administration.

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has even demanded an apology from the Home Minister for what he called "unilaterally appointing IPS officers in the state and without taking the state government into confidence".

The Home Ministry, which controls the AGMUT cadres officers, has recently effected reshuffle in senior officers, including IAS and IPS, who have completed their stipulated tenures in a particular administrative area.

"As far as Delhi is concerned, I think the reports are exaggerated. The Chief Minister has met me. The (Delhi) Chief Secretary has met the Home Secretary and I think there are some difference of opinion about one or two officers. But by and large there is no difference," Chidambaram said. (More)