The Rajasthan government on Friday lifted the ban on transfers of its officers and employees for a limited period from June 19 to July 5, allowing departments to undertake administrative reshuffling. However, the ban will remain in force on transfers of teachers in the education department's Grade III pay scale and employees of the medical department until further orders.
Exemptions and Priorities
According to an order issued by the administrative reforms and coordination department, the exemption for medical personnel has been retained in view of the possibility of seasonal diseases during the monsoon period. The order stated that priority in transfers will be given to single women, widows and abandoned women employees, as well as employees suffering from incurable or life-threatening illnesses such as cancer and serious diseases affecting the brain, heart, lungs or kidneys, subject to certification by a medical board or other competent authority.
Preference will also be extended to employees with long years of service, persons with disabilities and husband-wife cases where both spouses are serving in government jobs. The order will be applicable not only to state government departments but also to corporations, boards and autonomous bodies functioning under the state government.
Teachers' Associations Oppose Continued Ban
Several government school teachers' associations opposed and questioned the decision to continue the ban on the transfer of Grade III teachers. Transfers of Grade III teachers in the state have been pending for eight years. Teachers said that the prolonged absence of transfers has created an atmosphere of disappointment among teachers and is adversely affecting their morale.
"Are Grade III teachers not government employees who deserve to be transferred and work in their home district? Despite repeated requests, transfers for them are not being done," said Vipin Prakash Sharma, state president of Rajasthan Primary and Secondary Teachers' Association. Teachers alleged that false assurances of a transfer policy are given to them, while their demands are being ignored.
