Jaipur: Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC) is facing an administrative deadlock after two veterinary officers came to occupy the same post following a disputed transfer order and a failed court challenge by incumbent Dr Neha Gaur.The state govt on July 10 ordered Gaur to return to her parent cadre, the animal husbandry department, and report to Multipurpose Veterinary Hospital, Jaipur. The order was amended the same day, posting her in the veterinary department as Medical Officer (Radiology). In the same transfer exercise, Dr Jeetendra Kumar was sent to JMC as veterinary officer on deputation.Gaur first challenged the transfer before Rajasthan Civil Service Appellate Tribunal, which dismissed her petition on Aug 8. She then moved Rajasthan High Court, arguing that the order was signed by the director of the animal husbandry department, who, she claimed, was not the competent authority.The high court initially granted interim protection. On Oct 16, however, the bench of Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand dismissed her writ petition after the state govt produced records showing that the transfer was approved by the minister concerned through the department’s principal secretary and the director.Despite the high court ruling, Gaur has not vacated the post. While the litigation was pending, the JMC deputy commissioner split responsibilities between Gaur and Kumar to keep routine veterinary work running.A senior JMC official alleged, “How can the arrangement continue even two weeks after the high court formally cleared the transfer order? Even the govt has not issued any new order invoking or recalling the transfer order. Gaur joined JMC on deputation from the Govt Poultry Farm, Khatipura, on April 27. She was asked to return to her parent department within three months following a series of complaints.”Gaur, however, told TOI that the department’s director cannot issue her transfer order. “The department produced a backdated exhibit at the court to prove that the transfer procedure was right. I may file a challenge petition before a higher bench. Second, I have not been released from JMC yet, maybe because the department feels I am needed here,” she said.On the other hand, JMC commissioner Om Prakash Kasera said, “We are monitoring the matter.”
