PANAJI
Pending implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Goa Government has requested the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to either keep on “hold” or “cancel”, the relieving order and the subsequent transfer of Education Secretary IAS Prasad Lolayekar, who was, last month, directed to report to his new posting in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, within fortnight.
The move comes, even after MHA, in a recent communication to all States and Union Territories under the AGMUT cadre, categorically stated that “all requests for cancellation or stay of transfer orders have been dealt with” and any new pleas will “not be entertained.”
In September 2024, MHA had ordered transfer of officers of AGMUT (Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territory) cadre -- Lolayekar, Sanjit Rodrigues and Swetika Sachan as part of reshuffle approved by Joint Cadre Authority. However, all three failed to report.
Last month, MHA issued stern directives relieving Lolayekar and Rodrigues from Goa Government and directed them to join their new posting in Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Ladakh. Accordingly, Rodrigues reported to the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie for training that ended on June 4.
“The government has written to MHA requesting either to cancel or keep in abeyance the relieving order and subsequent transfer of Lolayekar,” a senior official in the Goa Government confirmed, informing that the officer is due for retirement in May 2028.
The official said that the Goa government has put up a special request citing implementation of NEP 2020, which the State intends to complete by 2027 and complete implementation including physical restructuring by 2030.
“The MHA had turned down our similar request in the past. However, a fresh proposal has been moved and the reply is awaited,” the official said.
According to the “relieving order” issued in May, the MHA warned that any officer failing to join the new segment within 15 days of the effective transfer date would be deemed 'Stand Relieved'.
The ministry had enforced this rule and had cautioned Lolayekar that any further delay could lead to disciplinary action, debarment from promotion, and other service penalties.
Rodrigues, like Lolayekar, was transferred in September 2024 but has not assumed his new assignment. The MHA has warned that non-compliance in both cases will not be tolerated.
Despite repeated attempts, Lolayekar and the Chief Secretary V Candavelou remained unavailable for the comments.
