BENGALURU: The government decided to retain IAS officer D Randeep as Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike’s special commissioner following pressure from citizens and civic organisations that he should not be transferred because of his good record in handling solid waste management issues.On December 1, TOI reported an online petition seeking his retention in BBMP soon after he was transferred to the social welfare department. Randeep’s transfer surprised BBMP commissioner N Manjunatha Prasad.The BBMP commissioner is currently on an official tour of France with deputy chief minister G Parameshwara to study garbage disposal. Prasad had handpicked Randeep to tackle the garbage menace.Prasad told TOI Randeep will stay in BBMP and continue to oversee solid waste management. “He’s doing good. I’ve requested the deputyCM to retain him,” he said. Animal rights activists were reportedly upset with Randeep’s decision to withdraw land allotted to an animal welfare outfit. A Union minister, who is believed to have written to the state government seeking Randeep’s transfer, is said to have done a volte-face and lobbied for his retention in BBMP.After transfer orders were issued, Randeep couldn’t be relieved from BBMP. As Randeep was involved in voter list preparation, his transfer had to be approved by the Election Commssion but no prior approvalwas sought for it.

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