Das has written a missive to Kumar asking him why she had been transferred after serving only a little over a year on the job. She has now been posted as member on the board of the National Capital Region.

Though the transfer of Das had the assent of the prime minister, well-placed sources in the prime minister's office say the move might have been ill-timed because of the controversy surrounding wheat imports and the strident stand taken by the former managing director on certain aspects of the deal. In letters written to the food secretary, she had complained about the modalities involved in the import of wheat, including issues concerning delivery schedules, payment of commissions to FCI and presence of exotic seeds in imports from Australia.

Das has been replaced with effect from July 1 by RR Shah, commissioner(home) in UP. Das has, however, not relinquished office yet, because Shah has indicated that he would require some time before he could take over.

Well-placed sources said that the transfer of Das -- an additional secretary in the government -- is "not normal procedure". Additional secretaries are usually not transferrred out, unless on promotion. According to the letter written by Das to Kumar, she expressed displeasure about the fact that she "got to know about it (transfer) only through newspaper reports".

In another development, food ministry sources said that no formal letter had been sent to the Central Bureau of Investigation to look into the wheat deal. Barnala has merely ordered that all relevant files be handed over to the CBI. What the agency is now doing is a preliminary investigation, on the basis of which further action will be taken. The food ministry is apparently of the view that a formal letter to the CBI would start a witch-hunt. The CBI would then summon every functionary of thegovernment connected with the deal for questioning. The ministry wants the investigative agency should establish a prima facie case before proceeding with a full-scale probe.