Uttar Pradesh introduces new transfer policy

LUCKNOW: In a slew of decisions, the Uttar Pradesh government introduced UP Transfer Policy for 2017-18 apart from giving nod to five other proposals including ratification of GST Bill and celebration of UP Foundation Day, at its fifth cabinet meeting held here on Tuesday.

After effecting major shake-ups in state bureaucracy by transferring over 100 IAS officers and almost 70 IPS officers during the last fortnight, the Adityanath cabinet approved the new transfer policy 2017-18 for the state. Official spokesman Siddharth Nath Sing said that the new transfer policy made it clear that all the government transfers would be completed by June 30. It says that 20 per cent officers and employees of group A and B, who have completed three years in a district or seven years in a division, would be liable for transfer.  While Group A officers will be transferred by the state government, the new policy authorises heads of departments to shift Group B staff as per the requirement and norms. However, the differently-abled have been exempted from transfers in the new policy.

Elaborating further, state urban development minister Suresh Khanna said that Group A officers with two years to go for retirement would be able to get the posting at a district of their choice close to their home district while those of Group B would be posted in their home district itself.

The second important proposal to have secured cabinet’s approval was regarding GST Bill. The cabinet decided to ratify the bill in the upcoming Assembly session on May 15 and be implemented in the state from July 1.

In another decision, the proposal to celebrate January 24 as Uttar Pradesh Foundation Day was approved. Earlier known as United Province, UP was notified in Union gazette on January 24, 1950. So this day would be celebrated as UP day every year. The Tourism and Cultural Affairs departments will play special role in the implementation of this decision.  “We believe that the identity of any state or country is a must for its pride. For this, the day of birth of any state and its celebration is imperative,” said Sidhharth Nath Singh. It is believed that Governor Ram Naik had floated the proposal to the previous chief minister Akhilesh Yadav but it could not see the light of the day.

To ensure transparency in the system, the state cabinet decided do away with manual tendering and procurement process by replacing it with e-tendering and e-procurement of all the state tenders.

Besides, the proposals for revival of fertilizer factory in Gorakhpur and setting up Uttar Pradesh Mining Foundation were also approved.