‘Transfer Policy allows premature shifting on cogent grounds’
*Says Govt to uphold principles of administrative propriety
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Apr 9: Disclosing that issue of attachments and deployments of employees without the availability of sanctioned posts has been taken seriously, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said that the monitoring mechanism is being strengthened to prevent recurrence of such practices as Government is committed to uphold the principles of administrative propriety. However, he stated that transfer policy in vogue in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir allows premature shifting of officers but on the cogent grounds.
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In a written reply to the question of BJP MLA Rajiv Jasrotia in the Legislative Assembly regarding attachments and deployments made by various Government departments without having availability of posts, Chief Minister, who is also Minister Incharge General Administration Department, said, “the Government of J&K is committed to upholding principles of administrative propriety, transparency and efficient governance”.
“In this context, the issue of attachments and deployments of Government employees without the availability of sanctioned posts has been taken seriously. Over the past two years, comprehensive instructions have been issued from time to time to all administrative departments, emphasizing adherence to sanctioned strength and discouraging unwarranted attachments or deployments”, he further said.
“Where instances of such deviations have been brought to the notice of the Government, appropriate corrective actions have been initiated including cancellation of unauthorized attachments, reversion of staff to their parent departments and review of deployment practices”, the Chief Minister informed.
Stating that these measures have been taken keeping in view the need to rationalize staff distribution, avoid disruption in core functions and ensure that public services are delivered effectively at the grassroots level, he disclosed that regular monitoring mechanism is being strengthened to prevent recurrence of such practices and to support the broader goal of administrative efficiency, accountability and optimal use of available manpower across all sectors.
“Furthermore, departments have been directed to maintain updated records of postings and attachments and to ensure that all human resource allocations are carried out strictly in accordance with rules and norms laid down by the General Administration Department and Finance Department”, Omar Abdullah said.
About the premature transfers made by various departments, the Chief Minister said, “transfer policy in vogue in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir allows for premature transfers but on the cogent grounds”, adding “these directives aim to promote transparency, accountability and efficiency by minimizing the arbitrariness in the procedure for effecting transfers of employees”.
Pointing towards the transfer policy, he said, “the minimum tenure of a Government employee on a post shall be two years and a maximum of three years. However, the maximum tenure of posting in respect of important projects which are required to be completed in a time bound manner may be extended up to five years if continuation of any officer is considered necessary”, the Chief Minister said.
Further, specific orders for retention of officers in such cases beyond the period of three years are required to be issued with the approval of the Minister Incharge and the reasons for the same are supposed to be recorded, the Government said.
“Premature transfers wherever unavoidable in the interest of administration shall be ordered with the prior approval of the Minister Incharge for the reasons to be recorded”, the reply said, adding “Government employee holding any post may be transferred even before the completion of minimum tenure if the performance of the employee is found to be below job requirement, if there are grounds for initiating inquiry or disciplinary proceedings against him/her or it is not in public interest or in the interest of the administration to allow the employee to continue on a post for a full tenure; or the transfer is sought on health-grounds supported by the medical certificates issued by the duly constituted Medical Boards”, the Minister Incharge General Administration Department said.
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