BJP, Congress target Odisha govt over employee transfer policy violation

After the Odisha Fire Services Department, reports of officers and staff occupying posts in one place for several years have also surfaced from the Revenue Department. 

The rule says that officers and employees should be transferred after completion of three years in a station. But the rule is being flouted with impunity. 

With the practice coming to the notice, the Revenue and Disaster Management department’s Joint Secretary, in a letter, directed officers of different sections to see that the transfer policy is followed strictly. 

In the letter, the Joint Secretary asked about the transfer of all the officers and staff including senior officers, senior revenue assistants, head clerks, senior clerks, junior clerks, RI, ARI, and Amins. 

The letter has sought the transfer of those officers who have overstayed in their positions. 

Notably, the department issued a similar directive in 2017. This suggests that the officers and staff are paying scant regard to the directions.

Amid this trend of officers overstaying in one station, the state units of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress targeted the ruling BJD. 

“There are many such officers at the block level who have been serving at one station for the last 10 years. If the Revenue Department has issued a letter in this regard, it is to be seen whether the direction will be implemented or not,” said BJP MLA, Lalitendu Bidyadhar Mohapatra. 

Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati had a similar complaint to make. 

“There should be a principle regarding transfers. People will condemn if a clerk, and not officers, is transferred,” said Bahinipati. 

Coming in support of his government, BJD MLA Raj Kishore Das said, “Whatever decision the government is taking is correct.  That is why the government is in power for five terms. It will also win for the sixth time.”