Navigating New Rules: Punjab Government’s Ban on Non-Sanctioned Postings

In a decisive move to streamline administrative efficiency and address staffing shortages, the Punjab Government’s Department of Finance issued a significant directive on May 9, 2017, outlined in document No. 8/1/2003-5FB1/921. This policy introduces a strict ban on posting officials or officers to locations other than their sanctioned posts and prohibits transferring them along with their posts to unsanctioned locations. Below, we break down the key points of this directive and its implications for government operations in Punjab.

Key Directives of the Policy

The Punjab Government has introduced the following measures to ensure proper staffing at designated posts:

1. Ban on Non-Sanctioned Postings: Officers and officials must be posted only where sanctioned posts exist. Deploying staff to other locations is no longer permitted.
2. Prohibition on Transferring Posts: Administrative departments are barred from transferring employees along with their posts to locations lacking sanctioned posts.
3. Immediate Repositioning: Any officer or official currently working at a non-sanctioned post must be promptly reassigned to their sanctioned post. Failure to comply will result in the withholding of their salary.
4. Certification by DDOs: Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) are required to verify compliance with these rules when submitting salary and wage bills to District or Sub-Treasury Officers.
5. Rationalization Deadline: Departments have one month to rationalize staff deployment, after which non-compliant employees will not receive salaries.

Special Focus on the Police Department

The directive emphasizes immediate action for the Police Department to safeguard financial interests:

• Staff Rationalization: The department must optimize staff allocation based on operational needs and ensure effective utilization of personnel.
• Security Assessment Review: Security assignments for individuals should be reassessed, with provisions withdrawn or reduced where feasible.

Enforcement and Accountability

To ensure compliance, the Finance Department is deploying audit teams to review manpower allocation across departments. Any violations will be treated seriously, with DDOs and controlling officers held personally accountable. Departments seeking exemptions due to unavoidable circumstances must obtain prior approval from the Finance Department.

Official Notification here: Punjab Government’s Ban on Non-Sanctioned Postings letter dated May 9, 2017, outlined in document No. 8/1/2003-5FB1/921.

Implementation Timeline

All Heads of Departments are instructed to comply within one month from May 9, 2017. The Director of Treasury and Accounts has been directed to ensure District Treasury Officers enforce these rules rigorously.

Context and Supersession

This directive supersedes earlier instructions issued on February 24, 2003, under the same subject, signaling a stronger commitment to addressing staffing inefficiencies. The policy aims to eliminate the practice of ad-hoc postings, which has likely contributed to operational and financial inefficiencies in the past.

Why This Matters

This policy is a critical step toward enhancing accountability and optimizing resource allocation in Punjab’s administrative framework. By ensuring that personnel are stationed at their designated posts, the government aims to address shortages, reduce financial waste, and improve service delivery. However, the strict enforcement measures and tight timeline may pose challenges for departments, particularly in rationalizing existing deployments.

For further details, departments are advised to consult the official directive and coordinate with the Finance Department for any clarifications or exemptions.

Official Notifications relating to Punjab Govt. Ban on Transfers and Posting on Non-Sanctioned posts:

• No. 8/1/2003-5FB1/921 Dated 09-05-2017
• No. 8/01/2003-5FB1/1187 Dated 13-06-2017
• No. 8/01/2003-5FB1/2030 Dated 19-07-2017