Odisha introduces new transfer rules for OAS & ORS officers, focusing on transparency, fixed tenure, no recommendations, and compulsory field postings
OdishaPlus Bureau
In a significant move aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability, and a focus on the populace within the state administration, the Odisha government has introduced new transfer regulations for OAS (Group-A Junior Grade) and ORS officers.
The regulations, released by Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, emphasize that officers are public servants. Transfers will no longer be influenced by personal requests or endorsements from political figures.
With the announcement of the new transfer policy, every officer will be required to serve in the field for the initial six years of their tenure to gain insight into grassroots-level challenges. During their first assignment, priority will be given to KBK districts, Gajapati, Kandhamal, and other Scheduled Areas.
No transfer recommendations will be accepted, and stringent measures will be enforced against any such attempts. Routine transfers will occur solely between April 15 and June 15 each year. An officer will typically remain in one position for a minimum of two years and a maximum of three years. No officer shall remain in a single district for more than six consecutive years or exceed a total of ten years of service in any district. Furthermore, no officer will be assigned to their home district.
An officer is required to vacate their previous position within seven days of receiving the transfer order and must report to the new position within the subsequent seven days.
Requests from officers with disabilities exceeding 40% will be considered with compassion. In instances where both spouses are government employees, efforts will be made to assign them to nearby locations.
As the new transfer policy is implemented, officers who have spent three years in remote areas such as KBK districts will be prioritized for transfers to a district of their preference. This new policy overrides all prior transfer regulations.
