Mumbai, August 29, 2024 — Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan has promulgated an ordinance to amend the Maharashtra Government Servants Regulation of Transfers and Prevention of Delay in Discharge of Official Duties Act, 2005. The amendment has been introduced to address delays caused by the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The new ordinance, titled Maharashtra Government Servants Regulation of Transfers and Prevention of Delay in Discharge of Official Duties (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024, provides an extension for the general transfer period for government employees. Under the original 2005 Act, transfers were typically conducted once a year in April or May. However, due to the imposition of the Model Code of Conduct from March 16, 2024, to June 4, 2024, many transfers could not be executed.
To address this issue, the ordinance introduces a new sub-section (4A) under Section 4 of the Act. This provision allows for the completion of pending transfers by extending the deadline to August 31, 2024. The extension ensures that the delay caused by the election period does not disrupt the normal functioning of government offices and allows for the necessary administrative adjustments.
The ordinance was issued in the absence of a session of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, with the Governor using the powers vested in him under Article 213(1) of the Indian Constitution. The move underscores the urgency felt by the state government to address administrative delays and ensure that government duties are discharged efficiently.
The amendment primarily affects officers of the All India Services and state government employees in Groups A, B, and C, who are subject to a standard tenure of three years in a given position, as per Section 3 of the original Act.
With the promulgation of this ordinance, the Maharashtra government aims to restore normalcy in administrative operations that were disrupted during the election period. The extension is seen as a necessary step to maintain the efficiency and effectiveness of the state’s governance.
The ordinance has been officially published in the Maharashtra Government Gazette, marking its immediate implementation.
