Congress Calls for Transparent Transfer Policy in Madhya Pradesh
Jitu Patwari urges Madhya Pradesh government to establish a clear policy for officer transfers to enhance administrative efficiency.
Bhopal, November 10 (Daily Kiran) : Congress leader Jitu Patwari has raised concerns over the frequent transfers of officials in Madhya Pradesh, claiming the practice has become rampant. In a letter to Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, Patwari emphasized the need for a transparent and sustainable policy regarding these transfers.
He proposed that officials in key positions, such as collectors and police superintendents, should have a minimum tenure of two years under normal circumstances. In cases of premature transfers, he suggested that written justifications should be made public. Patwari insisted that political disagreements, discontent from representatives, or pressure from the ruling party should not be valid reasons for transfers.
Patwari also called for an independent assessment of the administrative efficiency in departments and districts affected by these frequent changes. He pointed out that the term “transfer industry” became prevalent during the tenure of former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and under the current administration, it has escalated to what he referred to as a “transfer factory.”
He highlighted alarming statistics, noting that between December 2023 and July 2025, over 325 IAS officers were transferred—averaging more than 16 per month. This suggests that nearly one IAS officer was reassigned every two days in the state.
The trend did not stop there; since July 23, 2026, responsibilities of around 36 IAS officers have also changed. In the last three months alone, nearly two dozen district collectors and about a dozen police superintendents have been replaced. Notably, in May 2026, 62 IPS officers were transferred, and a significant reshuffle in September 2025 involved the transfer of 30 IPS and 15 IAS officials.
Patwari questioned the impact of these constant transfers, stating that when an officer begins work in a district, they need time to understand local issues, administrative challenges, and departmental resources. A sudden transfer disrupts this process, leaving unfinished tasks and unresolved issues.
He warned that the consequences of these frequent changes do not just affect the officials but ultimately harm ordinary citizens. Development projects suffer, law and order accountability weakens, and the implementation of government schemes is disrupted, leading to an environment of uncertainty in administration.
