The revenue department has resumed transfer of officials. In a letter issued last week, the department said all group A officers -- from the rank of assistant commissioner and above -- would have to list five choice of postings.
The finance ministry had stalled the transfer and posting of revenue service officials after an Indian Revenue Service officer was arrested last month for allegedly bribing the personal assistant to former minister of state for finance, Gingee Ramachandran, for getting a transfer to Mumbai.
Officials said the letter issued last week was the first step towards making the transfer process transparent.
The letter adds that the choice of posting should be furnished by all officers who are due for transfer and especially those who have completed five years in metros and four years in other cities, as on March 31, 2003.
Most revenue officials prefer postings in the metros because they feel it is more challenging to work there and, therefore, avoid smaller towns.
According to government sources, some officials resort to unfair means to prolong their tenure in the metros.
This could be avoided if a transparent roster of posts was created for the perusal of the department and updated regularly, they pointed out.
Finance Minister Jaswant Singh has already asked his adviser, Vijay Kelkar, to prepare a report on the transfer of revenue service officers.