LDF members boycott Assembly to protest against transfer order issue

The Principal of a govt school had criticised the state Education Minister for coming late for a campus function

CPI-M-led LDF Opposition today boycotted the Kerala Assembly to protest government's reluctance to withdraw the transfer order against a Principal of a government school here who criticised the state Education Minister for coming late for a campus function.

Taking up the issue for the third consecutive day, Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan asked the government to cancel the transfer of the Principal of the Government Cotton Hill School K K Urmila Devi and do justice to her.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said the transfer was not part of any disciplinary action but only a administrative step.

"Government is ready to consider her appeal if she files one," Chandy said but maintained that transfer was done only after following due procedures.

Achuthanandan repeated the charge that the government took

action against the Principal within three days of issuing a showcause notice, which gave her 15 days time for explanation.

The LDF had alleged that action against her was a vindictive step, but both Chandy and Education Minister P K Abdu Rabb had said she was transferred after an inquiry which actually recommended suspension.

LDF had disrupted proceedings of the House forcing it to be adjourned ahead of the day's schedule on June 25 and had staged a walkout over the issue yesterday.

The incident that provoked action against the Principal happened on June 16 when a function was arranged in the school campus in which the Minister was to present awards to the Schools English Club.