Vikramaditya
Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept 26: Despite a clear circular issued by the Andaman & Nicobar Administration directing all Heads of Departments (HoDs) and Heads of Offices (HoOs) to immediately relieve transferred officials without waiting for substitutes, a few departments are reportedly ignoring the order.
The circular dated 8th September, 2025, specifically states that HoDs/HoOs may make internal arrangements to ensure that the concerned officials are relieved within seven days of the circular date. It further warns that if officials are not relieved on time, the HoD concerned will be personally held responsible for financial losses or hardships caused to the affected staff.
However, reports indicate that a few departments continue to delay the process on flimsy pretexts, including the excuse of not having a reliever—even in offices located in Sri Vijaya Puram. If this is the situation at the capital, the plight of employees posted in inter-island offices can only be imagined.
Government staff allege that this tug of war between departments is causing severe hardship to transferred employees who are left in limbo. Many are forced to wait indefinitely before joining their new postings, affecting both their professional responsibilities and personal lives.
Observers believe that this amounts to a violation of government orders, and have demanded an internal audit to identify departments not complying with the policy. They further stress that strict action must be taken against HoDs who deliberately defy the Administration’s directives.
The Administration, in its circular, had made it clear: delay in relieving staff will be presumed as wilful disobedience of orders. Yet, the ground reality suggests that the problem persists, raising questions about accountability and adherence to established rules.
