Ashok Khemka transfer: BJP justifies action, citing 'good intention'

BENGALURU: As its government in Haryana faced flak over the transfer of whistleblower IAS officer Ashok Khemka, BJP today justified the action, maintaining it had been done with "good" intention and he had been given a "good posting".

"Service is service. You cannot say this position is big and the other is small. Archaeology is also a big ministry in this country. There is a big responsibility attached to it...," BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said in a media briefing ahead of the party's two-day National Executive meeting beginning here tomorrow.

Facing a barrage of questions on Khattar government's action yesterday in shunting out of Khemka who shot into national limelight after raising questions about Robert Vadra's land deals, Hussain said Haryana would benefit from it.

Khemka, who has been transferred 45 times in his nearly 22-year career, was given the dual charge of Secretary and Director General, Archaeology and Museums department, along with the reshuffle of eight other IAS officers.

"Our government has given him a good posting. This is first such posting and we want to utilise his service in this (department) also. Haryana will benefit out of it," Hussain said.

Rationalising Haryana government's action, he said "I have also been a minister; I was posted in six departments. The experience of a good person will benefit to whichever department he goes," he said.

"So it cannot be perceived that one department is big and other is small. Those who come for the service of the country, be it in politics or bureaucracy, they come to serve the country. This is a transfer done with good intention; I don't want to say more than this."

In a tweet, meanwhile, 49-year-old Khemka said, "Tried hard to address corruption and bring reforms in Transport despite severe limitations and entrenched interests. Moment is truly painful."