Clarification on Cooling-Off Period for Deemed Availed GDS Transfers
The Department of Posts has issued a clarification regarding the cooling-off period for deemed availed transfers in the General Department of Posts (GDS) service. This clarification is based on the recent communication from the Kerala Circle and provides important details concerning the refusal of transfer orders and its implications on the cooling-off period.
Background:
According to the official memorandum (OM No. 17-31/2016-GDS (Pt. I)) dated 10.10.2024, the cooling-off period is a key component in managing the transfers of GDS employees. The cooling-off period is defined as the mandatory gap between two successive transfers. Furthermore, if an employee refuses an approved transfer order, the refusal is considered as "deemed availed," which impacts their cooling-off period.
Key Points from the Clarification:
Refusal of Transfer and Cooling-Off Period: The clarification issued on 09.12.2024 by the Assistant Director General (GDS/PCC/PAP), Ravi Pahwa, addresses the issue of employees refusing a transfer order. In such cases, the employee does not actually avail of the transfer opportunity and remains in their current posting.
Deemed Availed Status: When a GDS employee refuses an approved transfer order, it is considered that they have "deemed availed" the transfer. This refusal implies that the period during which the transfer was expected to take place is counted as part of the overall cooling-off period.
Implications: The cooling-off period is designed to ensure that GDS employees are not subjected to frequent transfers without adequate breaks in between. Refusing a transfer will not exempt the employee from the cooling-off period, but instead, the refusal time will contribute to the total cooling-off period.
Reference to Specific Clauses: The clarification specifically refers to Paragraphs 1(iv) and 1(xi) of the OM No. 17-31/2016-GDS (Pt. I), which outline the policy regarding the cooling-off period between transfers and the consequences of refusal to accept an approved transfer order.
Conclusion:
The Department of Posts' latest clarification emphasizes that refusal of a transfer order by a GDS employee will not reset or negate the cooling-off period. Instead, the period during which the transfer was refused will be treated as part of the overall cooling-off period, ensuring consistency in transfer policies and managing the deployment of GDS staff across the country.
For further queries or clarification, the Assistant Director General can be contacted at adggds426@gmail.com.
