Transfer of officers has turned into business': Karnataka High Court

Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Monday observed that the transfers of government officers in the state has turned into a ‘huge business.’ The court came down heavily on the state government while expressing displeasure against them in the matter.

It was hearing a petition filed by Eranna, a range forest officer, who had approached the court questioning the transfer from Yadgir territorial range in Yadgir. After his transfer, he was not given any posting.

Referring to the transfer without any alternate posting, the division bench headed by Justice H.G. Ramesh expressed displeasure over the manner in which the state was functioning. It further observed that illegalities in transfer are looming large as similar cases have been surfacing before the court during the hearing on a regular basis.

The court added when an officer is transferred, his posting has to be mentioned but in many cases, officers are being transferred without any posting and they are drawing salaries without working. The state has earned a bad reputation in this scenario, the court observed.

It also highlighted the fact that the court has time and again warned the state in matters concerning transfers but the state seems to have ignored them all. The court stayed the transfer order of Eranna and also issued emergent notices to the principal secretary, forest, environment and ecology department and Basavaraj S Dange, forest range officer, regional zone, Humnabad.