Panaji  (Goa) The Goa government, in a move late last evening, transfered Director of Fisheries Shamila Monteiro who was under the scanner of Minister Vinod Paliencar over delay in the issuance of RFID cards to fishermen.

Government sources said the officer, who is a specialised officer in fisheries and has served several years in the department, has been posted as OSD to Director General of Police Muktesh Chander. She would be directly under the Chief Secretary now.

In her place, the government has posted Fisheries Secretary Govind Jaiswal to have the addition charge.

Nearly a fortnight ago, Paliencar had directed Monteiro’s suspension for the delay in issuing RFID cards and several irregularities within the department. Last month she was even served a notice, reply of which was unsatisfactory as per the minister prompting him to direct her suspension.

During the monsoon session of the legislative assembly this year, opposition leaders had questioned the delay by the Fisheries Department arguing that absence of RFID cards didn’t allow fishermen to venture in the sea. NCP legislator Churchill Alemao had alleged that minimum number of fishermen in sea resulted in poor fish catch. Paliencar had then assured the House to launch an inquiry.