Pune, June 19: Cutting across party lines politicians from Congress, Republican Party of India (RPI), BJP as well as socialist and leftist leaders have raised their voice against the `abrupt' transfer of cooperative commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad. In an open meet organised by the Pune Pimpri-Chinchwad Nagrik Manch last night, the political leaders and other social activists decided to launch an agitation against the transfer of an officer "who was cleansing the department".
Former minister of state Bhai Vaidya while condemning the "politically motivated transfer" said the government should reinstate Gaikwad, who has been shifted as Principal Secretary (Transport and Excise).
Former mayor Vandana Chavan (Congress) recalled the contribution of Gaikwad and said she would participate in all agitations demanding his reinstatement.
Gaikwad, IAS officer of the 1975 batch, is credited with exposing the Rs 252 crore government securities scam involving Nagpur District Central Cooperative Bank (NDCCB), Wardha, DCCB, Osmanabad DCCB and other banks.
When he was given additional charge of the sugar commissionerate for a fortnight, he unearthed the Rs 150 crore sugar export scam.
Gaikwad is also credited with superceding the board of directors of Jalgaon DCCB, controlled by Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Suresh Jain on April 10.
Bureau Report