Srinagar, May 27, KNT: Despite multiple circulars from the Jammu and Kashmir General Administration Department (GAD), a large number of government officials continue to overstay at their postings, some for over a decade, fueling what sources describe as “deep-rooted corruption” in various departments across the Union Territory.
The GAD, in its latest circular issued from the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar and Jammu, reiterated its directions to all Administrative Secretaries to ensure the rotation of officials who have remained in one place for more than five years. The instructions come after a report submitted by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) J&K exposed the blatant flouting of transfer norms.
The ACB report, accessed by KNT, reveals that many government departments have completely ignored the established transfer policy, allowing select officials to remain entrenched in one position for years, a practice widely viewed as a breeding ground for corruption, favoritism, and misuse of power.
“The Competent Authority observed that such extended stays are in violation of transfer norms and should only be allowed under exceptional circumstances.” It directed that each Administrative Secretary must compile and submit a list of all employees who have remained posted in the same place for over five years, and initiate immediate rotation “unless justified by exceptional grounds.”
However, ground realities suggest that the circulars have become more of a routine formality than a policy directive. According to sources in multiple departments, there are officials who have served at a single station or post for 5 to 10 years, often wielding disproportionate influence and acting as “power centers” within the system.
“The transfer policy is being selectively enforced,” a senior government insider told the news agency Kashmir News Trust. “Those with political backing or personal connections in the administration manage to evade rotation. Meanwhile, honest officials are transferred arbitrarily.”
The unchecked overstaying, according to anti-corruption watchdogs, not only undermines administrative efficiency but also creates an environment where bribery, nepotism, and manipulation thrive.
“Rotation of officials is the first step toward curbing corruption,” said a retired bureaucrat. “When an official remains at one post for too long, they build networks that enable systemic exploitation.”
Activists have demanded that the GAD not merely issue circulars but ensure strict implementation through periodic audits and disciplinary actions against defaulters. [KNT]
