Reasons for transfer to be placed in public domain- Maharashtra SIC
2 Mar, 2014The Maharashtra State Chief Information Commissioner while hearing a petition filed by a Pune-based activist has directed to disclose the reason for the transfer of a particular government employee, as desired by the applicant. It was also ruled that in future the government should put up the reasons for all transfers before the tenure ends on its website.
The commission referred to a SC order which quoted "....Oral and verbal instructions, if not recorded, could not be provided. By acting on oral directions, not recording the same, the rights guaranteed to the citizens under the Right to Information Act, could be defeated. The practice of giving oral directions/instructions by the administrative superiors, political executive etc. would defeat the object and purpose of the RTI Act and would give room for favouritism and corruption".
Section 4(1)(c) Every public authority shall publish all relevant facts while formulating important policies or announcing the decisions which affect public; and (d) of the Right to Information (RTI) Act state: "publish all relevant facts while formulating important policies or announcing the decisions which affect public and provide reasons for its administrative or quasi-judicial decisions to affected persons".
It is a landmark order that will bring transparency in transfers of public servants and bring an end to abrupt transfers of honest officers. The order has been marked to the chief secretary of state for necessary action.