Transfers – Delhi L-G Seeks Regular Rotation of Officials in Sensitive Departments
Transfers – Lieutenant-Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu has asked the Delhi government to establish a structured policy for the regular rotation of officials, particularly those who remain in the same position for extended periods. The direction was issued during a recent review meeting on the systems, procedures and administrative practices followed in the capital for more than a decade.
The review was conducted with the Delhi government’s principal secretary for vigilance. According to officials familiar with the meeting, the L-G stressed the need for a more systematic approach to postings and transfers to improve administrative efficiency and reduce the risks associated with officials remaining in the same roles for too long.
Sensitive Department List to Be Revised
Sandhu also called for a fresh assessment of departments classified as sensitive. The review found that some departments handling comparatively large financial allocations were not part of the existing sensitive-department list, while certain other departments with lower levels of financial exposure had been included.
The L-G directed the administration to correct this imbalance and prepare a revised list based on objective factors. The exercise is expected to take into account financial responsibilities and the potential for irregularities while determining which departments require closer vigilance oversight.
Vigilance Officers Ordered for Key Departments
Another major direction involved the appointment of chief vigilance officers, or CVOs, in all departments identified as sensitive. Sandhu instructed that these appointments be made without delay, with the stated objective of improving transparency and maintaining financial discipline within government departments.
The L-G further called for clearly defined procedures governing the functioning of CVOs. These guidelines would set out their responsibilities and establish how they should monitor compliance with the norms issued by the Central Vigilance Commission, particularly in matters involving government contracts and tendering.
Regular Review of Vigilance Work Proposed
The vigilance department has also been asked to organise regular meetings involving departmental CVOs. Such meetings would provide a common platform to assess ongoing vigilance activities, identify areas requiring attention and review compliance with established procedures.
Officials said the approach is intended to make vigilance monitoring more consistent across departments rather than relying only on action after complaints or irregularities are reported.
GST Reshuffle Provides Recent Example
The directions come after a major reshuffle in Delhi’s GST department, where employees who had remained in the same assignments for lengthy periods were transferred. The move was presented as part of efforts to improve efficiency and strengthen accountability in departmental functioning.
The reshuffle affected 162 personnel in total. The transfers included three Assistant Commissioners, 58 Section Officers in Grade I, 22 Assistant Section Officers in Grade II, 74 Senior Assistants in Grade III and five Junior Assistants in Grade IV.
The exercise demonstrated the administration’s broader emphasis on avoiding prolonged postings in particular positions, especially where officials are responsible for important administrative or financial functions.
Surprise Checks to Continue Across Departments
Officials said the latest directions form part of a wider effort to reinforce administrative discipline through surprise inspections, compliance reviews and closer monitoring of departmental practices.
The Delhi government has maintained that standards of public service delivery should not be weakened and that accountability must apply across different levels of the administration. The latest vigilance measures are intended to support that approach by combining regular staff rotation with stronger oversight of sensitive departments and government processes.