Kolkata, July 15 -- The state government has introduced a new transfer policy, making it clear that its field-level officers will ordinarily not be posted in their home districts.

However, a humanitarian provision has been included to ensure that officers do not face hardship at the end of their careers. During the last two years before retirement, an officer may be posted back to his or her home district, subject to administrative requirements. A notification to this effect has been issued by the state Personnel and Administrative Reforms (P&AR) Department.

To prevent "local influence" and "conflict of interest" that may develop when an officer remains in the same post or subdivision for too long, Nabanna has clarified that any officer completing three years in the same post will be placed on the transfer list. Under no circumstances will an officer be allowed to remain in the same post for more than four years.

For officers handling revenue collection, tax collection or other sensitive field-level responsibilities, the norms have been made even stricter. Such officers will ordinarily be transferred after two years, and under no circumstances will their tenure exceed three years. The policy, however, will not be implemented in a purely mechanical manner. At the time of transfer, an officer's family circumstances and district-related convenience will also be taken into consideration. In addition, in cases of extreme personal or physical hardship, or where there is an urgent administrative requirement, the P&AR Department may relax the policy on the recommendation of the concerned department.

According to administrative circles, when the same officer remains posted at one place for a prolonged period, administrative efficiency tends to decline and the risk of developing a local nexus and extending undue favours increases. The new policy is expected to enhance the efficiency and accountability of field-level administration across the state while also curbing favouritism in the transfer process.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.