Karwar: Expressing displeasure over the State Election Commission’s move to put on hold the transfers of deputy commissioners, Industry Minister R V Deshpande said it has powers to intervene in administrative matters only when the election code of conduct is in force.

Deshpande told reporters that election officers are good but the decision of chief election commissioner of the state halting the transfer of DCs is not right. “I do not know why he has taken such a decision, but I believe he will withdraw it”, he said. Asked if the Union government influenced the State Election Commission, the minister said the election officers do not listen to anyone. On DGP office’s message to top police officers of all districts seeking reports on people of a particular community involved in communal clashes, Deshpande said, “When elected representatives and ministers write to home minister to take back cases against anyone, the home minister will take a decision bringing it before the cabinet”