VIBHA VERMA
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PANJIM: For the first time in its history, Goa Police has drafted a policy which seeks to restrict the transfers of the officers as a tool to punish or harass them. The draft proposal also makes it mandatory that newly recruited police sub inspectors and constables be posted in police stations to gain field experience after completing the required training.
The draft, finalized just a few days before Manohar Parrikar-led government completed a year in power, makes a strict no-no the current unofficial practice of shunting officers who do not do the bidding of their political masters or who have displeased their seniors to insignificant assignments.
“Transfer will not be used as an instrument of harassment of honest officials nor will it be used for punishment. Similarly, legitimate transfers should not be interfered with,” the draft says.
It’s not a secret that several transfers, especially of lower ranks, are a fall out of rifts with their superiors. In majority of cases they are shunted to non-executive posts or in the extreme part of the State which is unofficially considered as “punishment transfer”.
Keeping in mind their personal responsibilities as well, the department has also proposed that transfer orders by and large be issued by mid-May, to enable joining their new place of posting in the first week of June.
Even as the proposed draft has been kept open for objections and suggestions from department officials and the general public, the government has sought data on rank-wise vacancies in each police station and unit for updating it by March 31, 2013. The draft has sought willingness from officials to opt for the vacant postings.
“Police officials should give their willingness for fill those vacancies by April 15 and process those cases by April 30, and transfer orders should be issued by May 10 and implemented by May 31. These cases are to be considered on seniority cum preference and this are to be effected the by concerned disciplinary authority in consultation with appellate authority,” the draft reads.
It also makes it clear those officials who have completed three years of posting at one place, are liable for transfer except in any unavoidable circumstance.
For those who are retiring from the services within two years as on April 1 of the year, the draft proposal has exempted him/her from the transfer unless they desire a posting near his place of residence. But this too comes with a condition that the cop have no complaints on his/her activities.
“Request transfer applications will be considered only if the applicant has completed two years in his/her place of posting or has compelling reasons which shall be examined before the IGP. No TA/DA, joining time will be admissible in such cases. Moreover, applicant will have to give a minimum five options for postings not including the place where he/she has already served,” the drafts says.
Similarly, a police officer is barred from taking a posting in the home town police station or sub division except during the two or three years of his service. However, all efforts should be made not to post the cop very far from the home town areas.
