THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: 6316 employees of the Unified Local Self-Government Department have been transferred in one go with an aim to root out corruption and redress grievances on transfer. The employees were transferred across various sections of the three-tier panchayat system. The history-making mass transfer took place entirely online.

Before the introduction of the unified department, the employees of each department like panchayat, urban affairs, and rural development used to be transferred only within their respective departments.

An order was issued transferring officers ranging from senior clerks to first gazetted ranks. Inter-district norms apply to them. Procedures for district-level transfers are in progress. Those from peons to clerks will be included in the district-level transfer list. They will be transferred within the district itself. An order in this regard will be issued soon.

The widespread corruption in the local bodies that the people rely on daily prompted the government to take this step. While employees who are remaining in an office for three years were mandatorily considered for transfer, others were considered based on their application.