Manual transfers over online system: 84 transferred beat forest officers transferred again due to personal preferences

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The online transfer in the forest department is being sabotaged to protect the preferred candidates. 84 beat forest officers were transferred online, but they were transferred again by the Munnar Division Forest Officer. Most of those who received general transfers have not yet started work in their new offices.

The transfer order was issued on August 1. No action has been taken yet despite Dr Pramod G. Krishnan, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Administration) & Chief Wildlife Warden, instructing the Chief Forest Conservators and DFOs to implement the transfer and submit a report by September 29.

It is alleged that the move is to protect the favourites in view of the local body elections. Some of those who were transferred again in Munnar have approached the Administrative Tribunal. The general transfer list was released, including those who have completed three years in the same place.

Marayoor used as a cover

Since those assigned to protect the Marayoor sandalwood have to work 24 hours a day, those working here are considered for transfer after completing a year. Although 13 people from Marayoor were included in the general transfer list, no one was assigned to replace them. This was used as a cover to release the new transfer list of 84 people. Some of them worked in one place for only a year. Organisations allege that people will lose their right to apply for the next year's general transfer if this is implemented. There are also allegations that this is to protect the personal interests of some people.

New system, transfer delayed

1. The usual online transfer is done through the payroll software Spark

2. This time the transfer was done through the online system prepared by C-Dit

3. Due to this, the transfer, which was supposed to be implemented in February, was delayed until August.