Himachal Pradesh Mandates Remote Postings for All Govt Employees – What It Means

In a historic decision to bring fairness to government job transfers, the Himachal Pradesh government has now declared that all government employees and officers will be required to serve in remote, rural or tribal areas in their career at least once. The order was made after observations from the Himachal Pradesh High Court regarding arbitrary and preferential postings in the public sector.

In an order issued by Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, all administrative secretaries, department heads and managing directors of public sector entities must strictly adhere to the policy. He has also indicated that disciplinary action will follow non-compliance.

Why Was This Decision Taken?

The new policy is a direct response to the High Court’s judgment in Bharti Rathore vs. State of Himachal Pradesh, in which the court expressed its disapproval of the tendency for certain employees to be posted to hardship postings continually, while other employees are consistently excused from hardship or difficult postings altogether. The court emphasized an equitable system that allows for and treats all employees equally.

Departments have been directed to complete a comprehensive review of all posting practices to ensure postings, when reviewed, fit into the newly imposed guidelines.

What Are the Key Changes?

This directive reiterates the Comprehensive Guidelines for Transfer (CGP-2013), and especially paragraphs 12 and 12.1, which already require one term of service in a hardship area. In addition, the state is looking into the feasibility of a digital system in the future for compliance monitoring, accountability and transparency and facilitating disputes over transfers.

By providing politically balanced postings, Himachal Pradesh is also trying to foster accountability in the system of public service as a whole with the belief that if different regions in the state have access to equitable attention from government workers, they will be able to ensure neutrality.

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