Transfer and posting are an integral part of any bureaucracy, guidelines were issued in 2018

Transfers and postings form an integral part of any bureaucrat's service tenure. Postings of IRS (C&CE) are regulated by CBIC. These transfers and postings are affected by various variables.

To prevent arbitrary Transfers and any favoritism in process, the Government tries its level best. For the same, government has issued Transfer and Posting Guidelines, 2018 for IRS (C&IT) officers in the year 2018.

As per the abovesaid guidelines, Para 7.1, the cutoff for considering the due date for transfers of the CBIC Officers has been designated as 31st March of the relevant year. In accordance with the extant Guidelines, a due list of officers was issued on 27th December 2023.

But surprisingly, another 'extended due list of officers' has been issued on 25th April 2024 where an arbitrary cutoff date of 31.07.2024 has been decided citing elections as reason. Several Officers posted on sensitive charge may get affected by this extended due list.

Circular issued on 25-4-2024 says, "In continuation of AGT-2024 circular dated 27.12.2023, it is informed that the Due Lists (as on 31.03.2024) as per the extant Transfer/Placement Guidelines, 2018 issued vide F.No. A- 22011/07/2018-Ad. II dated 12.04.18 was published on both CBIC and DGHRD websites."

It Further states, "Additionally, it is pertinent to note that due to current ongoing General Elections to the Lok Sabha/State Legislative Assemblies, there may be a delay in AGT-2024. In light of this possible delay, an extended due list as on 31.07.2024 has been prepared in addition to the previously published one."

However, what's interesting to note is that, in this new circular, reference has been made solely to the upcoming Lok Sabha elections for extending the cutoff date, without mention of any notification issued by the Election Commission regarding this matter.

Also, there is no precedence of such a change in cut-off date for transfers in previous elections like 2019, 2014 and earlier Lok Sabha elections but on 25th April 2024, 'extended due list of officers' has been issued. Why? Is the revised cut-off date indicate possible foul play?