Jammu, Apr 29: The proposed transfer policy – formulated by the government for its application to all the departments – failed to get the cabinet node amid strong objections by the Congress ministers, following which it the proposal was shelved by referring the matter to the Cabinet Sub Committee, constituted especially for the purpose.
Informed sources told Greater Kashmir that some of the cabinet ministers from Congress objected to the draft transfer policy and demanded that the matter should have been first discussed at the coalition level before bringing it before the cabinet.
Congress ministers were against the proposed empowerment of the Chief Minister, in the transfer policy, to shift any Deputy Commissioner and District Superintendent of Police, the powers of which otherwise are vested with the cabinet.
According to sources, the cabinet witnessed a verbal spat between some of the ministers, over the matter following which it was decided that the proposal should be sent to a cabinet sub committee for further discussion.
It was learnt that the proposed transfer policy was aimed at decentralization of the transfer powers in all the government departments. As per the proposal, the head of the departments were to be empowered to make internal adjustments as per their needs.
Sources claimed that the Congress ministers held a meeting in the office chamber of Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, well before the cabinet meeting, to discuss the draft transfer policy, and devise a strategy on how to handle issues in the Cabinet.
The much-awaited reshuffle in the civil and police administration could not be taken up as the chief minister was unable to go through the proposal reportedly compiled by the General Administration Department in consultation with the Chief Secretary. Due to his engagements in Mumbai, on Wednesday, CM was not in a position to go through the transfer proposal, sources said.
The cabinet has also accorded sanction to the creation of two posts of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of police, one each for Kashmir and Jammu divisions, for Indian Reserve Police (IRP) Force. The appointment on the two posts will be made after completion of other requisite formalities, they added.
The Cabinet has also approved creation of additional posts in the school education department. The additional staff will be posted in the schools, which were upgraded in 2008.
Sources claimed that 439 posts, recently created for rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits in Valley, were also re-designated.
The cabinet also terminated services of a former district and sessions judge Sain Dass, who was forcibly retired on corruption charges. However, after the recommendations reportedly by the High Court, his services were terminated thus disentitling him from any service benefits.
Besides approval to the insurance scheme for the government employees working in risk zone areas of Samba and Katra, the cabinet also gave its nod for establishment of National Institute of Fashion Designing and Technology (NIFDT) at Budgam, Kashmir.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 29 Apr 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 29 Apr 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 30 Apr 2010 00:00:00 IST