The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has strongly criticized CBDT’s transfer policy for favouring Group A officers while restricting lower-ranked employees from living with their spouses. In its March 4 order, CAT directed the CBDT chairman to reform this system within six months and create a fair, humane, and uniform policy for all employees.
Group C and D employees—inspectors, stenographers, and tax assistants—challenged the disparity, arguing that while Group A officers are assured spousal transfers, lower-ranked staff face a restrictive “loan basis transfer” policy, limiting them to five years and affecting their promotions. The petitioners claimed this violates Article 14 of the Constitution and contradicts a 2009 DoPT circular mandating spousal postings whenever possible.
The tribunal, citing a 2022 Supreme Court ruling, held that the policy undermines morale and deprives employees of their right to family life. It dismissed CBDT’s argument that employees accepted their postings upon joining, stating that career growth should not come at the cost of family separation.
