Ashok Khemka, the IAS officer who alleged persecution by the Congress in Haryana for cancelling a land deal involving Sonia Gandhi’s son-in-law Robert Vadra, has once again been transferred by the state’s new BJP government.
In what is the 45th transfer in his 23-year career, Khemka was shunted out on Wednesday evening as Transport Commissioner and shifted to the low profile Archaeology and Museums Department.
Tried hard to address corruption and bring reforms in Transport despite severe limitations and entrenched interests. Moment is truly painful
— Ashok Khemka, IAS (@AshokKhemka_IAS) April 1, 2015
Haryana, meanwhile, claims it was a routine transfer; eight other IAS officers were shifted.
Sources, however, say Khemka had a run-in with state Transport Minister Ram Bilas Sharma. As Transport Commissioner, Khemka had ordered district officials to penalise overloaded vehicles, which reportedly left the politically powerful mining lobby gunning for him.
Khemka was appointed in charge of the transport department last year soon after Manohar Lal Khattar took charge as chief minister of Haryana’s first BJP government.
