The Odisha government has issued fresh guidelines on the transfer and posting of government employees in a bid to ensure transparency, uniformity and administrative efficiency across departments. In a notification issued by the General Administration and Public Grievance Department, the government said transfers should normally be carried out between April 15 and June 15 every year, while transfers outside this period would require approval from higher authorities.

The government observed that existing transfer norms were not being followed uniformly by different departments, leading to irregularities and deviations from established procedures. To address the issue, it has reiterated a set of common principles that all departments and subordinate offices must follow strictly.

As per the guidelines, government officers should ordinarily be transferred after completing three years at a particular station. The notification further states that Group-A and Group-B officers of the State Cadre will not be allowed to remain in one district for more than six years, while Group-C employees cannot stay in the same block or tahasil for over six years.

The government has also reiterated that officers holding sensitive posts should generally not be posted in their home districts. However, employees nearing retirement and those who have completed long service in KBK regions may be considered for posting in their preferred or home districts, subject to certain conditions.

The guidelines also provide relief for married employees working under the State Government, stating that husband and wife may be posted at the same station wherever possible. In addition, employees in non-transferable services, such as ministerial cadres in the Secretariat and Heads of Departments, should not remain in the same seat for more than three years except in special circumstances.

The state government has directed all departments to implement the transfer rules strictly and ensure the timely relieving and joining of transferred employees. It further clarified that any relaxation in the rules can only be made in public interest, administrative necessity, or hardship cases with proper written justification.