The new policy is to ensure equitable distribution of Government employees at different locations in a fair and transparent manner and to maximize job satisfaction, said a notification issued by the Department of Personnel & Administrative Reforms (Personnel Division) on May 12.
TFM Desk
With an aim to minimize hardship to all due to frequent transfer and postings and ensure an effective, efficient and responsive across the state, the Manipur government has issued a new policy for transfer and posting of its employees.
The new policy is to ensure equitable distribution of government employees at different locations in a fair and transparent manner and to maximize job satisfaction, said a notification issued by the Department of Personnel & Administrative Reforms (Personnel Division) on May 12.
The policy shall be applicable to all employees under the government and all its agencies, including PSUs, corporations, societies, agencies, commissions, etc, it added.
The notification further said the new policy document shall be the guiding spirit/principle for all Departments while making transfers and postings. Department specific policy in respect of a few specific Departments that have unique requirements may be separately notified, if necessary, in line with the broad policy outline above. Such notifications will be issued in consultation with the Department of Personnel, it added.
However, notwithstanding anything contained in the policy, the state government, with the prior approval of the chief minister, Manipur, shall be competent to transfer an employee to any place in relaxation of any or all of the above provisions after recording reasons justifying such relaxation. No transfer and posting which is contrary to this policy shall be made by any department without the approval of the chief minister, Manipur, said the notification.
As per the new policy, the general conditions for be followed in the transfer and postings of government servants are:
(i) Normal tenure of posting of an officer/employee in a post will be a minimum of 1(one) year and 6(six) months and maximum of 3(three) years in a place of posting.
(ii) No transfer may be effected unless the concerned employee has completed 1 (one) year and 6(six) months in a post, unless there are compelling reasons/circumstances to do so
(iii) Officer/official must be posted for a total period of not less than 9(nine) years in hill areas/difficult places during the entire service period. This may be served successively or after breaks, as preferred by the Officer/official, subject to each stint being not less than 1(one) year and 6(six) months.
(iv) As laid down in Sub para (1) above, each such posting in hill areas/difficult places shall not be less than 1(one) year and (six) months. However, Officers/officials who are performing well and willing to serve longer in hill areas/ difficult places may be allowed to serve for a period longer than 3(three) year as may be decided.
(v) Categorization places for the purpose of difficult postings will be made by the respective Departments, in consultation with the Department of Personnel.
(vi) IT-based Manpower Management System will be used to manage the transfer and postings of all employees.
(vii) As far as possible, officials may be posted at their Home District, if the Official so chooses, 2(two) years before their retirement so as to facilitate ease in processing pension matters
(viii) Transfers shall normally be effected in the month of April/May after the financial year is over so that disruption of work is minimal.
(ix) Government employees connected with the conduct of elections shall not be transferred without specific consultation with the Election Department.
(x) Transfer of Teachers/Lecturers of Schools/Higher Secondary Schools/Colleges and other academic institutions shall normally be affected between the academic sessions Le. Just after the closing sessions so that disruption of teaching/learning activities is avoided.
(xi) All transfer orders will indicate the first-mover and charge shall be handed over by the relieved officer to the relieving officer after briefing him/her of the priority/sensitive issues connected with the post.
(xii) Whenever cadre posts are to be utilised by non-cadre officers/officials, the transfer & posting orders to such posts shall be issued by the controlling authority of the cadre post. Officers/officials who do not belong to the said cadre will be deemed to be on deputation to the Department to which the cadre post belongs.
(xiii) Where both the husband and wife are in Government service, they may be posted conveniently at the same station/District as far as possible, subject to availability of the post and keeping in view the interest of administration as well.
(xiv) Physically challenged persons may be given convenient posting at their local stations, subject to availability of post.
(xv) Officers/officials suffering from an identified category of diseases may be given preferred places of posting, to enable the officer/official to function without affecting the responsibilities of the post.
(xvi) As far as possible, the State Government may provide for payment of incentive for serving at difficult postings, provided it is not the Home District of the employee.
(xvii) The period of deputation of officers/Officials from the Central Government or other State Governments who are appointed to any post/service under this Government on deputation shall normally not exceed 3 (three) years, which may be extended for another 2(two) years in deserving cases, with adequate justification and with specific approval of the Department of Personnel.
(xviii) In respect of officers of non-transferable services like the Ministerial cadres in the Secretariat and in the Heads of Departments/Offices, no person shall be retained in a particular post with the same work allocation for more than 3(three) years. This may be relaxed, only in special circumstances, up to a maximum of six years, with specific approval of the Competent Authority in this regard.
(xix) Creation of Zones for the purpose of transfers: Districts may be clubbed/organised into Zones for recruitment of Group III & IV posts, within which they will be transferrable. Such Group III & IV officials shall normally not be transferred outside their respective zones. The Zones for this purpose may be notified by the Department of Personnel.
(xx) All posts sanctioned for specific purposes should be utilized only at the places for which the posts had been created. No transfer of post will be permitted under any circumstances. Only in extreme exigences of public interest, posts can be transferred with the approval of the State Cabinet.
(xxi) Appointments/postings of officers/officials to a higher post/non-cadre post on in-charge basis shall be strictly as per the guidelines issued by the Department of Personnel from time to time.