Transfer guidelines: ED asked to cap metro postings at 22 years

The order also states that no officer can have more than 22 years of cumulative tenure in the metros. This means that no officer can ensure his posting in Delhi (which has zonal, regional and the head office and is a coveted destination) for more than 15 years at a stretch. It also tends to ensure that no officer spends his entire tenure in big cities.

Sources said the policy was brought in as there had been several instances where certain officers were “sitting in the same station” for 20-odd years, whereas there were officers who had never had the exposure of working in a metro.

“There was no laid down policy earlier. This led to people sitting in one position for too long while some were being transferred too frequently. There were questions of transparency over such postings. Also, sitting at one place for too long, an officer often develops ‘interests’, which is not good for the agency,” said an ED official.

Sources said the policy was first formulated by former ED Director Rajan Katoch. However, after his ouster this year, current director Karnal Singh pushed it with the ministry and the Department of Revenue gave its seal of approval last month.

According to the policy, at sub-zonal and zonal offices, no officer can have more than five years of tenure. At stations where both regional and zonal offices exist, an officer can have a maximum tenure of seven years with a combined stint in both the offices.

Also, no officer can come back to the same station after being transferred out before two years. For new recruits, during the period of probation, the policy says, there would be no transfer even on personal request.

The policy also says that Group A officers will be transferred out of the Region (office) upon promotion unless they have spent less than two years at the office. Similarly, Group B officers will be transferred out after promotion to Group A unless they have only three years of service left. The policy gives choice posting, including posting to home stations, to those superannuating within two years and those who have spent two years in tough stations such as Jammu and Kashmir and the North-east region.

However, there is a caveat of “transfer in public interest” where an officer may be transferred out before completion of his minimum tenure “for reasons to be recorded”.

The transfers will be effected through Civil Service Boards at ED headquarters in Delhi and regional offices. The board would have the ED director as chairman and special director (headquarter) and joint director (administration) as members.