Will political pressure come to an end?

TRANSFERS & POSTINGS

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Transfers and postings are parts of the continuous process of any department, and they follow the standing rules. However, the natural course of this process is often obstructed by political interference and other factors, leading a section of departments to give way to unfair practices.

Generally, transfer and posting are the prerogatives of the Minister of the department concerned and its top bureaucrats. They know who should be posted where for smooth functioning of the respective departments as they are aware of the officials and employees' efficiency, honesty and dutifulness. However, often a section of officials and employees are in the habit of meeting MLAs/Ministers seeking their influence to ensure their 'plum posting'. The MLA or Minister then requests the Minister concerned to get the particular officials or employees posted at their desired places.

Dwelling on the menace, a Cabinet Minister told this reporter, "We're facing problems owing to such undue requests from MLAs and others at the time of transfers of employees and officials. If we ignore the pleas of our colleagues they get miffed; and to comply with their requests we've to compromise a lot. Top bureaucrats of departments prepare lists for transfers and postings by taking every aspect of officers and employees into consideration. However, often such undue requests from our colleagues play spoilsport."

A top bureaucrat said, "Nowadays a section of officials has teamed up with a section of MLAs and get decisions on transfers and postings attuned in their favour. The general rule is that after working for three years at a stretch at a place, an official or employee has to be transferred. When an employee has to be transferred before the completion of three years, approval from the Chief Minister is mandatory. The office memorandum says that transfers and postings are limited to December-January. But in practice these are done throughout the year.

"If top bureaucrats take the stand of not succumbing to political pressure in transfers and postings, maybe, the Ministers concerned will agree to that. However, most of the top bureaucrats succumb to political pressure and take a compromising stand. The outcome of such an attitude is that many officers and employees continue to stay at the same place for years, turning it into a breeding ground for corruption. Sometimes, such officers and employees are transferred outside for a month; but they spring back to the earlier place. And there are many such instances."

In the last Budget session, State Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma went on record telling MLAs on the floor of the House, "Don't request me on transfers and postings of teachers."

Will the Chief Minister take a stand for better administration?