Maha govt to form joint committee to recommend reforms in employees' transfer policy
Mumbai, July 3
General Administration Department in-charge Minister Ashish Shelar on Friday announced in the Legislative Assembly that a committee comprising members from both Houses of the Maharashtra Legislature will be constituted to recommend measures for regulating transfers of government employees, ensuring faster disposal of official files and enhancing transparency in government functioning.
Senior MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar had presented the non-government bill - The Maharashtra Government Employees' Transfer Regulation and Prevention of Delay in Discharge of Official Duties (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Bill No. 16 of 2025).
While presenting the Bill, Mungantiwar proposed that transfers of government employees should be carried out strictly within the prescribed timelines and that Artificial Intelligence (AI) should be leveraged in the transfer process to ensure fairness and efficiency.
Mungantiwar also called for the formation of a committee to study and streamline the transfer process.
Additionally, he urged that the disposal of official files in Mantralaya be expedited and proposed a maximum time limit of 45 days for Ministers' offices to dispose of pending files.
Responding to the discussion, Minister Shelar stated that the government had introduced legislation governing transfers of government employees in 2005 to bring greater transparency to the process, which has since been amended on several occasions.
He further noted that the system of Confidential Reports has been adopted for performance evaluation of government employees.
Highlighting the government's efforts to modernise administration, the Minister said that the government has already started using AI to improve efficiency, transparency and speed.
To further strengthen transparency and streamline the transfer process, as well as to ensure faster disposal of files, a committee comprising members from both Houses of the Legislature will be constituted to study the issue and submit its recommendations, informed Minister Shelar.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As a government employee's wife, I've seen the stress transfers cause. One day you're in Mumbai, next day posted to a remote village with no notice. The 2005 act was supposed to fix this but look where we are. Hope this committee actually listens to ground realities instead of just politicians.
AI in government transfers? That's a first! But let's be realistic - the same politicians who misuse transfers will now learn to manipulate AI too. The real problem is political interference, not lack of technology. Fix the culture first, then bring in the robots. 🤖
I work in a government office in Pune. The file disposal system is a joke. Even passing a simple file for a teacher's transfer takes 6 months. 45 days for ministers' offices? That's a miracle if it happens. But knowing our system, they'll just create another committee that takes 2 years to report.
Sudhir Mungantiwar is raising good points, but where was this energy when his party was in power? Opposition always becomes idealistic. Still, I support the idea. Any move to reduce corruption in transfers is welcome. Our teachers and health workers deserve stability.
I'm a young IAS officer and this issue is close to my heart. The transfer policy needs a complete overhaul - not just amendments. But I'm skeptical about AI. Who will program it? Will it be transparent? Need to ensure it doesn't become a black box that benefits the powerful. Good intentions but devil is in details.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.