Gogoi targets transfer scam

GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi’s new set of administrative reforms aimed at streamlining government transfers has led to resentment in ministerial circles here though for the wrong reasons.
In a major blow to Assam’s notorious ‘‘transfer industry’’, infamous for being activated ‘‘whenever a minister runs short of money’’, the state government recently instructed strict compliance of a standing government order specifying that ‘‘transferable officers and staff should normally be transferred only after completion of three years of service at one place’’.
Whichever party is in power, indiscriminate transfers have always been carried out by many ministers here, especially in money-spinning departments.
‘‘Several ministers in earlier governments resorted to this practice whenever they needed funds,’’ a Congress leader confided.
Clarifying that the end of a three-year stint did not necessarily imply the transfer of a government servant, the personnel department circular, however, stipulated that ‘‘proper justification and ground may be recorded in writing and orders should be issued only after getting the approval of the chief minister’’ if a transfer was necessitated.
Despite a Guwahati High Court directive last year ordering compliance with this provision, the cash-strapped government has been regularly finding itself embroiled in legal wrangles with government officials approaching court to protest against ‘‘arbitrary transfers’’.
‘‘This move by the chief minister would lead to delays if everything starts going through him,’’ complained a minister. It has also banned frequent modifications of transfer orders.
Interestingly, even though the chief minister is believed to have personally insisted on the strict implementation of the new policy, Gogoi’s detractors within the cabinet have also dragged in his commissioner and trusted aide, M G V K Bhanu.