The Himachal Pradesh government has mandated that all its employees and officers serve at least once in remote, rural, or tribal areas during their careers. The decision comes after the state High Court raised concerns over inconsistent and unfair transfer practices.
The court’s recent observations highlighted instances where some employees were consistently posted in accessible locations, while others were repeatedly sent to remote regions. In response, the state administration has initiated a comprehensive review of transfer patterns across departments.
Furthermore, all administrative secretaries, department heads, and managing directors of public-sector entities have been instructed to ensure uniform implementation of the new directive. Officials have been warned that non-compliance will lead to disciplinary action.
Departments have now been directed to reassess their current postings and issue fresh transfer orders where necessary to comply with the mandate. The government is leaning on its existing Comprehensive Guidelines for Transfer, 2013, which already recommends at least one term of service in challenging areas. The latest directive is designed to reinforce and monitor these provisions more rigorously.
To ensure transparency and avoid future discrepancies, the state is exploring the introduction of a digital system to track postings and transfers. This system is expected to streamline grievance redressal and prevent any manipulation in the process.
This shift marks a significant move towards equitable service deployment, ensuring that no employee is unfairly burdened or shielded from difficult assignments. The government’s emphasis on fairness is likely to impact transfer procedures across departments and create a more balanced work environment for public servants.