Punjab to fight red tape with 'zero transfer' policy for staff

Aiming to cut through red tape and stop shunting hapless employees, the Punjab government is preparing to introduce ‘zero transfer’ policy, a first of its kind initiative in the country.

Should the policy come to effect, those in the employ of the Punjab government will not be transferred from a post barring compelling circumstances. The state government is working on the modalities of implementing the policy, which, sources said, was discussed with Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal.

Sources told Deccan Herald that the proposal will be implemented for education and health department employees, who constitute the bulk of the state government workers in Punjab.

The idea is to stop the practice of transfers being used as appeasement or punishment, minimising interface between government officials, politicians and beneficiaries/victims of transfers. The plan is a part of government reform initiatives under the commission headed by Dr Promod Kumar who is also the chief of the Institute of Development and Communication (IDC).

If the proposal goes through, amendments will be made to rules that disallow transfer of an employee to his home district and cap on the duration of an employee in a post that should not exceed three years.

Sources said employees away from home districts are less motivated and use various alibis to return. The government will also put in place ways to measure accountability and efficiency of an employee remaining for a long time in one post to avoid complacency and monotony.