Assam Government Launches Online Transfer Portal for Forest Department Employees
The Assam government has introduced a new online transfer portal for forest department staff to enhance transparency and fairness in transfers.
Guwahati, October 23 (Daily Kiran) : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched an online transfer portal for forest department employees on October 23. The initiative aims to ensure transparency and fairness in the transfer process by using a randomization system for the transfer of 2,137 employees.
The new portal was inaugurated at the Lok Seva Bhawan in Dispur, specifically for staff in the Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Department. The first phase of the portal includes Deputy Rangers, Foresters, Forest Guards, fixed-pay employees, and Game Watchers who have completed three years in their current positions.
Following the launch, transfer orders were promptly issued to the relevant employees. Certain personnel are exempt from this process, including those aged 58 or older, employees with seriously ill close relatives, pregnant staff, those who have not completed three years at their current placement, specialized wildlife experts, and suspended officers.
During the event, Chief Minister Sarma emphasized the government’s commitment to transparency in the transfer process, similar to recruitment practices. He noted that thousands of mutual transfer requests have been resolved through the “Swagat Satiirth” portal over the past two years and encouraged other departments to adopt technology-driven systems.
Sarma also directed the forest department to intensify efforts to prevent encroachment on forest land. He suggested using satellite imagery and artificial intelligence to identify encroachments at early stages. Recently, over 600 hectares of forest land were cleared of encroachments, and immediate afforestation of these areas was mandated.
The Chief Minister instructed divisional forest officers to take action against encroachment at early stages rather than waiting for it to escalate. He expressed concern over the stagnation of royalties and revenues from the forest department, which have remained around ₹700 crore for the past three years.
Sarma advocated for the legalization of eligible stone quarries and sand mining sites to curb illegal mining, boost government revenue, and create job opportunities. He mentioned that approximately ₹1 lakh crore is proposed for the construction of national highways in Assam, asserting that legally approved sources of construction materials would help meet demand and combat illegal trade.
The event was attended by Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Jayant Mallabaruah, MP Debashis Sharma, and several senior government officials.
