Home Ministry instructs officer to join new place of posting

The Union Home Ministry has directed T Sreekanth, Secretary to Lt Governor of Puducherry, to join his new place of posting in Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD), saying failure to comply with the transfer order would attract disciplinary action.
An official communication, containing the order issued by Director (Services) of the Union Home Ministry dated February 29 and received by Puducherry government, said Sreekanth, an IAS officer of the AGMU cadre of 2004 batch, was transferred from Puducherry to the GNCTD Delhi in April last year.
In October, the ministry had directed that Sreekanth be relieved immediately with an instruction to join his new place of posting. However, it was observed that Sreekanth did not join his new posting.

The order also referred to the provisions contained in the guidelines for transfer or posting of IAS or IPS officers of joint AGMU cadre 2010 which stated that the officer be relieved to join a segment on transfer within fifteen days from the effective date of transfer.
It was also stated that in case of non-compliance of the order, he or she would be deemed 'stand relieved' with the approval of competent authority and be debarred from getting promotion or going on central deputation. The onus of joining a segment lies on the officer, according to the order.
It was also stated that as desired by competent authority Sreekanth hereby "stand relieved" and directed to join in his new place of posting immediately under intimation to the Home Ministry.

"Failure on the part of Sreekanth to comply with this order would attract disciplinary action against him under relevant rules. Reference should be placed in the officer's service book," the Home Ministry's order said.
The ministry also directed the Puducherry government to relieve Sreekanth immediately with direction to join his new place of posting.
"The Government of Puducherry will not draw his salary from March 2016 onwards," the order said. The Ministry also wanted the Puducherry government to send compliance report to the ministry.