Patna, Aug 17: The Bihar government has prohibited the transfer of officers and employees associated with the 2027 Census until March 31, 2027, seeking to ensure continuity and stability in preparations for the nationwide population exercise.
An order to this effect was issued by the Revenue and Land Reforms Department on Monday and circulated to senior officials of the departments concerned.
The transfer restriction will apply to officers and employees who have been trained or deputed for Census-related work, including teachers and other government personnel.
Block Development Officers (BDOs), Circle Officers (COs) and Executive Officers designated as Census charge officers will also come under the ambit of the order. Employees deputed from different departments to district- and block-level Census cells will similarly be covered by the restriction.
The government has taken the step to prevent administrative changes from disrupting preparations and to ensure coordination among trained personnel throughout the Census process.
“The government’s aim is to ensure that the transfer of employees does not cause any hindrance in the preparations and process of the census,” the order’s rationale stated.
The government maintained that continuity is particularly important for an exercise as extensive as the Census.
“In a comprehensive process like the census, constant coordination and continuity of work between officers and employees is necessary,” it said.
The order noted that transfers during the preparation process could alter the responsibilities of trained officials and employees and potentially affect the exercise.
“Transfers midway may lead to changes in the responsibilities of trained employees and officers, which is likely to affect the preparations,” it said.
District Magistrates, who have been designated as Chief District Census Officers, have been kept outside the transfer ban.
However, the government has allowed transfers in exceptional and unavoidable circumstances, subject to approval from the designated authority.
At the district level, any such transfer will require permission from the District Magistrate, while transfers at the state level will require approval from the Revenue and Land Reforms Department, which is the nodal department for the Census process in Bihar.
The restriction will remain in force until March 31, 2027, and is aimed at ensuring that trained personnel and designated Census charge officers remain in place during the crucial preparation and implementation period.
