CAT quashes suspension of IAS officer

By Our Staff Reporter

IMPHAL, Jan 3 : The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Guwahati Bench has quashed the case pertaining to the 30th transfer in 15 years of an IAS officer Ng Roben Singh.

The Tribunal also quashed the suspension order of the officer for non-compliance of the transfer order.

In his application, Roben said that he was transferred for the 30th time within a period of 17 years since he joined service.

He also said that he was transferred eight times as an IAS officer within a period of 5 years and 3 months.

The applicant i.e Roben challenged that transferring him from the 'present' place of posting as Joint Secretary (Co-operative/RD&PR) Imphal as Deputy Commissioner, Jiribam on August 2, 2023 was in contravention of the Government of India's notification for Indian Administrative Service (Cadre) Amendment Rules, amended on January 1, 2014.

He contended that all appointments of cadre officers shall be made on the recommendation of the Civil Service Board.

The respondent, which is the Government of Manipur, said that transfer and posting of any employee for efficient administration and public interest is within the ambit and power of the State Government.

The Tribunal, meanwhile, observed that the State Government transferring the IAS officer in less than 1 year and 6 months without the recommendation of the Civil Service Board contravenes the provisions of Indian Administrative Service (Cadre) Amendment Rules.

The Tribunal quashed the transfer order.

The Tribunal also quashed the suspension of Roben for not joining the place of posting which is as Jiribam Deputy Commissioner.