Bhubaneswar: In a significant move aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability, and effectiveness in state administration, the Revenue and Disaster Management Department has rolled out a comprehensive new policy for the transfer and posting of Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) Group-A (Junior Branch) and Odisha Revenue Service (ORS) officers.
The directive, issued by Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, follows a key decision by the State Government. The policy seeks to eliminate arbitrary transfers, ensure rational postings, and promote professional integrity among officers. Under the new guidelines, general transfers will now be conducted annually only between April 15 and June 15. Any transfer outside this window will require explicit approval from higher authorities.
Officers will have a minimum tenure of two years and a maximum of three years at a particular station, though this may be adjusted in cases of administrative exigency or public interest. To ensure smooth implementation, the policy mandates strict timelines. Superiors must relieve officers within seven days of a transfer order; failing which, the officer will be deemed relieved on the eighth day. Officers are then required to join their new posting within another seven days.
A key highlight is the introduction of geographical restrictions. No officer can serve in the same district for more than six continuous years or exceed ten years in total during their entire career. Postings in an officer’s home district have been strictly prohibited, with limited exceptions permitted only in special cases shortly before retirement. The policy also addresses special categories. Officers with 40% or more disability will have their transfer requests considered sympathetically. For married couples, the government will endeavour to provide nearby postings, though this cannot be claimed as a right.
Service in the KBK (Kalahandi-Balangir-Koraput) regions has been prioritised, with officers required to complete at least three years before being considered for transfer out. In a bid to curb external influences, officers have been barred from seeking direct or indirect recommendations for transfers. All requests will now be examined by a dedicated committee in the Revenue and Disaster Management Department. Additionally, officers must acquire adequate field experience during the first six years of service.
The government has made it clear that no officer has a right to any specific posting and must comply with all official orders. The new policy has come into immediate effect and supersedes all previous guidelines on transfers and postings of OAS and ORS officers.
