Resentment grows among Jharkhand IFS officers over delay in transfer, posting
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Daltonganj, August 28: Resentment is reportedly growing among Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers in Jharkhand over what officials…
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THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj, August 28: Resentment is reportedly growing among Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers in Jharkhand over what officials describe as an unexplained and prolonged delay in transfer and posting orders across various wings and forest divisions of the state Forest Department.
The delay has reportedly left several officers awaiting postings while some others have continued in their existing assignments for extended periods, raising concerns over the administrative functioning of the department.
The Forest Department has several specialised wings, including the wildlife wing, research and training wing, working plan wing and various corporations, besides ecological areas such as Saranda.
Transfer proposal stuck after Establishment Committee meeting
Administrative sources in Ranchi said the Establishment Committee meeting was held in the first week of August, following which expectations grew that transfer and posting orders for IFS officers would be issued shortly.
However, with August nearing its end, no notification has reportedly been issued so far.
“There was an Establishment Committee meeting in the first week of August. Since then, there has been considerable speculation about the transfer and posting of IFS officers. Days have turned into weeks, but the matter continues to remain in limbo,” sources said.
According to the sources, the prolonged delay is adversely affecting the day-to-day functioning of the Forest Department and its offices, from district headquarters to range-level establishments.
Young IFS officers awaiting postings
Sources said four IFS officers of the 2022 batch have been awaiting postings for nearly two years.
Similarly, four officers from the 2023 batch are also reportedly waiting for postings.
The situation has caused considerable dissatisfaction among younger officers, particularly as some IFS officers holding what are considered key or sought-after assignments have reportedly continued in the same posts for more than three years.
Sources said the issue is not limited to transfers and postings, with delays in promotions also becoming a concern within the department.
Promotion of DFOs also pending
According to departmental sources, the promotion of two or three Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs) to the rank of Conservator of Forests (CF) is reportedly overdue.
Sources have alleged that some DFOs awaiting promotion are attempting to retain their existing postings through various means. These allegations, however, could not be independently verified.
A Forest Department source compared the situation to police officers who may prefer to remain in the SP or SSP rank rather than move to the higher post of Deputy Inspector General (DIG).
“Similarly, some DFOs may prefer to continue in their existing positions for longer rather than move to the CF level,” the source said.
The prolonged uncertainty over transfers, postings and promotions has consequently become a matter of discussion within the Forest Department, particularly among officers awaiting their next assignments.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren holds the Forest, Environment and Climate Change portfolio, making the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) central to the final decision on the proposed transfer and posting of IFS officers.
With the month drawing to a close, attention is now focused on when the state government will issue the long-awaited notification and bring clarity to the administrative reshuffle in the Forest Department.
