PM, CMs final authority to decide premature transfer of babus

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Ministers of States have been made final authority to decide on transfer and postings of civil servants before completion of their minimum prescribed tenure. As per rules, all states should have civil services board or committee on minimum tenure to decide on transfer and postings of the bureaucrats. This board and committee are mandated to record reasons for transferring a civil servant before completion of his or her fixed tenure.

Officers of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) generally have a minimum of two years tenure in each posting. As per the new rules notified by Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), the civil services board may obtain the information from the administrative department of the state concerned or any other relevant sources while considering the transfer of an officer before completion of specified tenure.

“The competent authority may amend, modify or reject the recommendation of the civil services board for the reasons to be recorded in writing,” the latest rules said.

In case of IAS officers serving at the Centre, Prime Minister is the competent authority. The Chief Ministers of states are competent authority for IAS officers working under their administrative control.

The new rules are seen by some of the senior serving officers as refinement of existing ones regarding transfer and postings of civil servants. “It will bring transparency in civil services board and competent authority will have to record reason for arbitrary transfers,” a senior IAS officer said.