The Revenue (Services.II) Department has issued an order (G.O.Rt.No. 242) on July 9, 2024, regarding the lifting of the ban on employee transfers and the implementation of new guidelines. This article outlines the key aspects of this order, including the constitution of a committee for transfers, the criteria for transferring employees, and the procedures to ensure transparency and efficiency in the process.
Constitution of Transfer Committee
To oversee the transfer of Tahsildars and Naib-Tahsildars, the government has established a committee comprising the following members:
- Chief Commissioner of Land Administration, Telangana, Hyderabad – Head of Department (HoD)
- Sri T. Shekhar, Additional Secretary to Government, Revenue Department, Telangana, Secretariat, Hyderabad – Additional/Joint/Deputy Secretary
- Smt. M. Malathi, Assistant Secretary, Office of the CCLA, Telangana, Hyderabad – Additional/Joint Director (Convenor)
The Chief Commissioner of Land Administration, Telangana, Hyderabad is responsible for executing the necessary actions as per the committee’s directives.
Lifting of Transfer Ban
The government had previously imposed a ban on transfers, with certain exceptions. After careful consideration, the ban is now lifted, and the following orders and guidelines have been issued:
Transfer Schedule
The transfer period is from July 5, 2024, to July 20, 2024, as outlined in Annexure-I.
Eligibility for Transfer
Service Tenure Requirements
- Minimum Tenure: Employees must have completed at least two years at their current station by June 30, 2024, to be eligible for transfer. This rule is waived for transfer requests based on spousal grounds.
- Maximum Tenure: Employees who have served more than four years at a station by June 30, 2024, must be transferred. Employees retiring before June 30, 2025, are exempt unless they request a transfer.
Transfer Limits
To avoid work disruption, no more than 40% of employees in any cadre can be transferred at one time.
Priority Criteria for Transfer Requests
When multiple employees request transfer to the same location, priority is given in the following order, provided other conditions are met, and the employee is not under departmental or criminal investigation:
- Spouse Cases: Only one spouse will be transferred.
- Employees Retiring Before June 30, 2025: If they request a transfer.
- Employees with Disabilities: 70% disability or more, certified by a competent authority.
- Employees with Mentally Retarded Children: To locations with available medical facilities.
- Widows
- Medical Grounds: Transfers based on medical needs for cancer, neurosurgery, kidney or liver transplantation, open-heart surgery, or bone TB.
- Hardship Area Service: Employees who have served the longest in hardship areas identified by the department.
Verification of Transfer Grounds
Heads of Departments will verify the legitimacy of medical or personal grounds for transfer in select cases and report findings to the government if necessary.
Transfer Procedures
To ensure transparency and objectivity, the following procedures will be followed:
- Publishing Information: HoDs/Competent Authorities must publish lists of incumbents, vacancies, and employees to be compulsorily transferred.
- Employee Options: Employees may submit up to five preferred transfer locations using a prescribed proforma in Annexure-II.
- Maintaining Minimum Staff Levels: Adequate operational staff must remain in offices and functional units, even in hardship areas.
- Lottery System: If insufficient personnel opt for hardship areas, transfers will be determined by a lottery.
- Transparent Counselling: All transfers will be conducted through transparent counselling, preferably using an online/web-based application.
- Public Notifications: All notifications will be published online or on office notice boards.
Special Provisions for Certain Departments
- Education Department: Will formulate specific guidelines for the transfer of teachers and lecturers.
- Revenue Earning Departments: Separate guidelines from previous G.O.s will apply to departments like Commercial Taxes, Prohibition & Excise, and Stamps & Registration.
- Other Departments: Transport, Forest, and Police Departments will follow their respective guidelines.
Competent Authorities for Transfers
Transfers will be executed by competent authorities as per existing rules and with committee approval. The process must be completed within the scheduled transfer period, and employees are deemed relieved three days post transfer order issuance. Violations will be taken seriously by the government.
General Provisions
- Presidential Order Compliance: Must be followed.
- Native District Posting: Instructions on posting gazetted officers to their native districts will be adhered to.
- Transfer Benefits: Transfers based on employee preferences will be treated as request transfers for the purpose of sanctioning T.T.A. and other benefits.
- Responsibility and Compliance: HoDs and competent authorities are responsible for complying with these guidelines. Any deviations will be viewed seriously.
Re-Imposition of Transfer Ban
The transfer ban will be re-imposed effective July 21, 2024.
This detailed order aims to ensure a smooth, transparent, and fair process for the transfer and posting of employees within the Revenue Department, enhancing efficiency and addressing the personal and medical needs of the employees.