Bhubaneswar: In a stern warning to officers failing to comply with transfer orders, the Odisha Finance Department has announced that strict action would be taken against non-compliant officials.
In an order issued on July 16, the department has stated that officers who fail to join their new places of posting by 20.07.2026 (Monday) will not be allowed to draw their salary from 21.07.2026 (Tuesday) onwards until they report to the transferred post.
The move comes after a mass transfer order was issued on April 16, affecting 90 officers of the Odisha Finance Service (OFS). Though three months having elapsed, several officers are reportedly still reluctant to vacate their previous positions and join the new places of postings.
The Finance Department observed that repeated directions to implement the transfer orders have not been followed by some officers. It has now warned that disciplinary proceedings will be initiated against those who continue to defy the government orders.
“It is further ordered that, in case an Officer is already relieved but fails to join in the new places of posting by 20.07.2026, he or she may not be allowed to draw his/her salary for the period from 21.07.2026 till he/she joins at the transferred place of posting”, the order said.
The move is seen as a strong message from the state government to enforce administrative discipline and ensure smooth implementation of transfer policies.
The order has been circulated to all departments concerned, including the Office of the Accountant General and various district-level authorities.
The move comes barely a fortnight after the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) wrote to all Regional Chief Conservators of Forests (RCCFs) and Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs) to ensure smooth implementation of transfer orders and maintaining administrative discipline.
The communication stated that after the recent transfer orders, certain employees are attempting to influence, delay, modify or otherwise interfere with the implementation of transfer orders through external channels and unauthorised means.
The office of the PCCF directed all RCCFs and DFOs to ensure immediate compliance with the transfer orders and facilitate the smooth relieving and leaving of transferred employeeswithin teh prescribed timelines.
“Any attempt by an employee to seek support, recommendation, or intervention from political representatives, public functionaries, external organisations or any other unauthorised persons with the objective of influencing transfer decisions shall be viewed seriously,” the letter said.
“All field officers are instructed to report such instances, if any, to this office immediately with supporting details for appropriate action,” the letter dated July 3 said.