NEW DELHI: Two Public Information Officials (PIOs) were transferred less than a fortnight after they helped make public RTI documents on generous land allotment deal to Baba Ramdev’s multi-crore venture Patanjali.
According to an article published by the Times of India, it has been reported that two officers Atul Thakare Marketing manager of MADC’s (Maharashtra Airport Development Company), who was PIO of its Nagpur branch was moved to Mumbai. And marketing manager Sameer Gokhale who was a PIO in Mumbai was transferred to Nagpur.
Earlier, on March 8, the Times of India published the news of IAS officer Bijay Kumar, the principal secretary for financial reforms, was greeted with a transfer certificate shortly after he voiced his concern over the method of the land allotment.
Bijay Kumar questioned the basis of a 75% discount for a land awarded to Patanjali Ayurveda Ltd. and was transferred close to three weeks.
Now Thakare and Gokhale too were transferred after they helped in providing the RTI documents that revealed the land allotment deal.
Patanjali Ayurveda promoted by yoga guru Ramdev was set up in 2006, had reported a turnover of Rs 10,561 crore in FY2016-17.
The company is presently setting up mega units at various places like Nagpur, Noida, Indore and Andhra Pradesh.