Centre files reply in IAS officer Kashish Mittal’s transfer case

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 28

The Government of India today filed its reply in the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) in the transfer order case of IAS officer Kashish Mittal. 

The UT Administration had, on March 8, transferred four IAS officers, including Mittal, who later filed a petition against his transfer orders. 

In the reply, it has been stated that Mittal’s statement that he cannot be transferred before two years of his service at the present posting is against the IAS rules, is not correct. The government held that his posting was done as per the IAS rules. As he had got promotion and was on a senior scale post, he had to go to northeast after two years as per the norms. It further said along with Mittal, other officers junior to him were also shifted. 

The Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram, Union Territory (AGMUT)-cadre IAS officer was relieved on March 23. As per the Supreme Court, the officer should go to the place where he was transferred and then challenge the transfer order, added the reply. 

Earlier, on Kashish Mittal’s plea, the Tribunal had issued a notice to the respondent party to reply by March 28. It was said in the application that under the revised IAS cadre appointment rules, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), on behalf of the state or the Centre, can transfer an officer before the minimum term only on the recommendations of the Civil Services Board. Mittal stated that the Board did not consult with him and at the same time, he was not given any reason prior to his transfer. 

Mittal said as per the 2014 ruling of the Supreme Court, he cannot be transferred without telling him the reason.

The IAS officer was posted as Additional Deputy Commissioner in Chandigarh.