Kerala: IAS officers complain to CM about frequent transfers
IAS officers in Kerala are unhappy over frequent transfers from one department to another and the bureaucrats’ body has now written to the chief minister against the practice, which is “in violation of the provisions of the All India Services (AIS) Rules”. At least 30 officers have been ousted within months of their posting. On the other hand, once an officer was handed over transfer orders twice in a single month. In the letter seeking a solution, the IAS Association also demanded that the appointment and transfer of officers should be based on the recommendation of the State Civil Services Board, as mandated by the All India Services Act (1951). Cabinet should approve for this.
As per the Supreme Court directive, appointments to the same cadre or equivalent posts should be made for a period of two years. However, the state is not taking into account the condition of minimum two years while making appointments to cadre posts. And if a particular officer is transferred before this period, the government must follow the rules and procedures governing it. The letter contained several recommendations, such as, in case of their transfer before the prescribed two-year period, to entrust the Board to take a final decision after hearing the officer concerned; Ability to be considered when making appointments, and the reason for transfer to be specified by the minister or cabinet concerned, if done without or overriding the recommendation of the Civil Services Board. Transfer of officers should be stopped to the extent possible during the period from June to next March. Since the rules prohibit officers from holding additional responsibility of more than two posts, it should be allocated in a scientific manner.
‘Preference being given to IPS officers on cadre posts’
The appointment of other officials on the posts of IAS cadre is against the provisions of the Act. Even retired officers are posted in a similar manner. The IAS Association demanded that this practice should be abolished. The posts of Excise Commissioner and Transport Commissioner belonged to the IAS-cadre. For the last several years, IPS officers are being posted on these posts. Similarly, Institute of Management (IMG) and KILA director posts were earlier headed by IAS officers. It has been told in the letter that IAS officers are not being appointed on both the posts recently.
