Bhubaneswar: In an effort to make the state administration more effective, transparent, and accountable, the Revenue and Disaster Management Department of the Government of Odisha has issued a comprehensive new policy regarding the transfer and posting of Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) Group-A (Junior Branch) and Odisha Revenue Service (ORS) officers.
The directive was issued by Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue and Disaster Management Department, following a decision by the State Government.
Under the new regulations, general transfers will be conducted annually between April 15 and June 15. Any transfers occurring outside of this designated window will require explicit approval from higher authorities. The policy stipulates that the tenure of OAS and ORS officers at a particular station will be a minimum of two years and a maximum of three years. However, these durations may be reconsidered based on administrative exigencies and public interest.
The guidelines emphasize strict timelines for joining new posts. Officers must be relieved by their superiors within seven days of receiving a transfer order. If not relieved within this timeframe, the officer will be deemed relieved on the eighth day by virtue of the order. Following relief, officers are required to join their new place of posting within seven days.
Furthermore, the policy introduces strict geographical limitations. No officer is permitted to stay in a single district for more than six continuous years or for more than ten years throughout their entire service career. Postings in an officer’s home district are strictly prohibited, though exceptions may be granted in special circumstances shortly before retirement.
Special considerations have been included for specific groups. Officers with 40% or more disability may have their transfer requests considered based on their needs. In the case of married couples, the government will consider nearby postings, though this cannot be claimed as a matter of right. Additionally, service in KBK regions is being prioritized; officers serving in these areas must complete at least three years before being considered for a transfer elsewhere.
To maintain professional integrity, the government has prohibited officers from seeking direct or indirect recommendations for transfers. It is also mandated that all officers gain field experience during the first six years of their service. All transfer requests will be scrutinized by a dedicated committee within the Revenue and Disaster Management Department.
The government has clarified that no officer can claim a right to a specific posting and must adhere to all official orders. This new policy comes into immediate effect, superseding all previous orders and regulations regarding the transfer and posting of these officers.