Tirupur: The protest by village administrative officers (VAOs) against the ‘unusual’ transfer entered into the 19th day on Wednesday, when they staged demonstrations at taluk offices across the district.The bone of contention is the transfer orders issued to five VAOs, citing administrative grounds, by sub collector Shravan Kumar. The protesters said there was no such lapse in administrations in respective villages or valid reason for the transfer.As many as 248 VAOs are working in the district, which houses 334 villages, including group villages that have just one VAO with different revenue accounts. In January, the state government had conducted general counselling for VAOs to be transferred either to desired locations or places available.As per the revenue department, villages are classified into A and B categories. A category villages comprise those coming under corporation, municipality and town panchayats, while rural villages form the B category. While VAOs at A category villages can be transferred to B villages after one-year term, their counterparts at B category have to wait for three years for a transfer to A category villages.“Decision on transfers is taken during the annual general counselling based on the seniority. The district administration can also transfer VAOs if there is any disciplinary action or with valid reasons. In January, the general counselling was done and VAOs were allotted villages,” said V Sasikumar, district secretary, Tamil Nadu VAOs’ Association.Recently, Neriperuchal VAO was issued a memo and then transferred to Morattupalayam in Uthukuli taluk. VAOs of Peruntholuvu, Palladam and Elavanchi were also subsequently transferred. All these transfers were done on June 1, citing administrative grounds, he said. “But so far, no lapse in the administration or any valid reason have been provided. Since Neriperuchal is A category village, it will affect the career cycle of the concerned VAO. The transfers will also affect the decisions taken by other VAOs. So, more than 200 VAOs have been protesting for the past three weeks. But the district administration is yet to respond,” Sasikumar added.When contacted, a revenue official said since the sub collector, the appointing authority, was on leave, their representation was still under perusal.

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