Government reimposes ban on general transfers

Revenue and Panchayat Raj departments exempted from the present phase of transfers as they were dealing with important issues

The government has reimposed the ban on general transfers from June 16 after the deadline for relaxation of ban expired on June 15.

The government had relaxed the ban with effect from May 25 and invited applications from eligible employees online.

In the order (GO Ms 81) issued on Monday, Chief Secretary S.K. Joshi said posting orders to employees who were promoted would be issued for clear existing vacancies without shifting others. Posting orders to employees on account of disbandment of posts, reversions, repatriations, deputations would also be issued for clear existing vacancies without shifting others.

The government had decided not to entertain any relaxation proposals by any department for a period of six months starting June 16.

For any relaxation thereafter, the Administrative Department should obtain orders in circulation to the Chief Minister through Finance Secretary, Chief Secretary, Minister concerned and the Finance Minister, the order said.

The order comes at a time when employees were complaining about the absence of transparency in the process adopted for transfers, especially in respect of Health and Education departments.

Senior officials, however, said relaxation would be considered in specific cases including transfers on spouse grounds depending on the merit of the case.

The government had exempted some departments like the Revenue and Panchayat Raj from the present phase of transfers as they were dealing with important issues.

The Revenue Department had been entrusted the ambitious land record updation rectification programme while the Panchayat Raj department has not been disturbed consequent on the government’s decision to hold elections to local bodies before the term of the existing bodies expires on July 31.