No Political Recommendations in Transfers - CBEC
THE Finance Minister has observed that many representations are being received from VIPs and other political sources recommending transfer/posting of officers belonging to Customs and Central Excise Departments. He has desired that this practice be discouraged.
CBEC reminds its officers Rule 20 of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules 1964 which stipulates-
"20. No Government servant shall bring or attempt to bring any political or other outside influence to bear upon any superior authority to further his interests in respect of matters pertaining to his service under Government."
Board wants the above provisions to be adhered to and no outside influence is brought for posting and transfer.
Easier said, than done. Transfer and posting is big business in CBEC and some of the Customs and Central Excise officers are capable of influencing the topmost authorities of this country. Even for very junior posts like Inspectors, recommendations from the highest authorities are brought in. Very recently we heard about large sums of money being given to the staff of a Minister for a particular post as a Member of a Board! Politicians have a big role in transfers and as long as they have their say, they cannot simply shoo away their party workers. This does not mean that transfers should be the exclusive domain of the bureaucrat. Without a politician to check him, the bureaucrat will go berserk. Often the senior babus have no concern or sympathy for their subordinates and will not listen to reason - this is one of the reasons why the babus have to approach the politicians for recommendations. If the senior babu was a little fair and reasonable, the politician would have had no role.
The only solution is to make the system totally transparent and computerised. Transfers should be finally done by a Committee consisting a couple of employees after a session of counselling with the affected employees and everything recorded and everybody accountable.
But who will do this? Who would like to abdicate his power and the power to transfer is the absolute power in Government.