Indian Administrative Service officers, appointed under the physically challenged category, can now choose a cadre closer to their home States. However, no transfer to the home State will be permitted under an amended rule.
In a notification issued on Tuesday, amending guidelines for posting of IAS officers with physical disabilities, the Department of Personnel and Training said a request for change of cadre could be made by an officer within three months through the parent cadre. Along with the application, documents in support of the grounds for cadre change would have to be enclosed.
The applicant will have to indicate a minimum of three States which are geographically contiguous to his/her home State. In their absence, the State closest to the home State in terms of distance would be admissible.
The government may, case-by-case and taking into account the extreme hardship faced by the officer, on the basis of a medical board report, permit transfer to a cadre closer to the home State.
If the transfer is agreed to ‘in principle’ by the Centre, the State government's concurrence will be sought as per the preference cited by the officer. If it is not forthcoming from any of the preferred States, the Centre may, after consulting another neighbouring State willing to accept the officer, effect the transfer.
The Centre’s decision on the selection of the State or cadre will be final and binding on the officer.
These guidelines will be implemented with prospective effect.
