DHSK halts staff transfers, deployments till implementation of new transfer policy

Directive prohibits transfers, attachments; strict compliance ordered

SRINAGAR: In a move to streamline administrative efficiency, the Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir, has issued a directive suspending all transfers, deployments, and staff attachments across government health institutions until the implementation of the government's newly formulated Transfer Policy.
This decision follows a recent review meeting held on October 29, 2024, where the Health and Medical Education Department laid down specific guidelines to avoid disruptions during the policy transition.
The circular, issued on October 31 by the Director of Health Services, emphasizes that no staff transfer, deployment, or attachment is to occur until the new policy is fully operational. According to the directive, the processing of such cases is even on hold. This pause in administrative movements is primarily aimed at ensuring that patient care remains the priority and that any staff reorganization does not interfere with essential medical services.
As per the directive issued by the Hon'ble Minister for Health & Medical Education Department in the recent review meeting held on 29th of October, 2024, no transfer, deployment/attachment of staff should be undertaken, nor should any such cases be processed until the Transfer Policy is implemented by the Government, the circular reads.
In such cases, where a transfer or deployment is essential purely for the patient care in Government Health Care Institutions (Hospitals), prior approval must be obtained from the Administrative Department through Directorate in respect of Gazetted Staff and for Non-Gazetted from Directorate of Health Services Kashmir before proceeding ahead, it added.
It is, therefore, enjoined upon all the Chief Medical Officer(s) /Medical Superintendent(s), Block Medical Officer(s) and other subordinate Heads of Department to ensure compliance of the aforementioned directive in letter and spirit, it added.
However, the circular provides an exception for cases where transfer or deployment is deemed critical to patient care within government health care institutions, including hospitals.
For such cases, the respective departments are required to obtain prior approval. Gazetted staff transfers or deployments must be cleared through the Administrative Department, while non-gazetted personnel changes will require approval from the Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir.
The directive mandates that all Chief Medical Officers, Medical Superintendents, Block Medical Officers, and other department heads strictly adhere to the instructions. It further warns that any non-compliance will attract disciplinary action, underlining the seriousness of the directive.
This temporary halt on staff movements within the health sector comes at a critical time as the government aims to establish a more structured and transparent transfer process across departments. The new policy is expected to address longstanding issues around arbitrary transfers and ensure that postings are in line with healthcare needs and organizational requirements.