Kerala Administrative Tribunal Flags Violation of Transfer Norms in Revenue Department

Kochi: The Kerala Administrative Tribunal has observed that transfers in the Revenue Department were carried out without following the prescribed general criteria and warned that contempt proceedings may have to be initiated against the officials responsible. The authorities were also directed to correct the errors in the order and take necessary action.

The tribunal issued the order while considering a contempt petition filed by the Kerala Revenue Department Staff Association and an employee of the Collectorate. Land Revenue Commissioner H Dinesan and Ernakulam District Collector G Priyanka were named as respondents in the petition.

The government had earlier informed the tribunal that steps were being taken to bring Village Field Assistants and Office Attendants under the HRM software and that more time was required to include clerks in the system. The government had also assured the tribunal that transfers would be carried out only in accordance with the prescribed guidelines.

However, the tribunal found that the mandatory procedures stipulated in the directions had not been followed in the transfer order issued on July 16, 2026. The bench also made it clear that the mere inclusion of an appeal provision in the order could not be considered an adequate response.

The case will be considered again on September 15.