The Uttarakhand Secretariat’s new transfer policy, aimed at removing officials and staff posted in the same department for years, has failed to produce results as the July 31 deadline passed without a single transfer order being issued. This inaction has raised concerns about the seriousness and implementation of the recently introduced policy.
The transfer policy was meant to ensure annual postings for officials from Section Officer to Joint Secretary, including Review Officers, Assistant Review Officers, and Computer Assistants. As per the policy, the tenure calculation was to consider April 1 as the cutoff date each year. Transfers were to be made without waiting for replacements, and a minimum five-year gap was required before an official could be reappointed to the same section or department.
Despite these provisions, no transfer list was released. Many officers remain stationed in the same departments for years—some even receiving less work, while others are considered “favorites” of senior officials. The policy was expected to bring transparency, especially since the previous 2007 policy also failed in implementation.
Former Secretariat Union President Deepak Joshi criticized the policy, citing that no consultation was held with employee representatives. He highlighted that while the policy mentioned a maximum tenure, it lacked clarity on the minimum tenure. Joshi has written to the Chief Secretary and the Secretary of Secretariat Administration seeking action.
Responding to the criticism, Secretariat Secretary Dipendra Chaudhary said transfers could still be made as per departmental needs and that all guidelines will be considered at the time of implementation.
