Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Panaji, May 18: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has formally relieved IAS officer Sanjith Rodrigues from his duties in Goa, nearly eight months after his transfer to Ladakh, and has issued a stern warning of disciplinary action should he fail to comply immediately.
Rodrigues, a 2013-batch officer of the AGMUT cadre, was transferred to the Union Territory of Ladakh on September 12, 2024, but continued to serve in Goa, reportedly due to his ongoing role as Managing Director and CEO of the Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Ltd (IPSCDL).
In a fresh directive dated May 16, the MHA invoked the 2016 transfer guidelines, which mandate that officers must join their new postings within 15 days of transfer. The ministry said Rodrigues would now “stand relieved” from the Goa government with immediate effect and directed him to report to Ladakh without delay.
“Should non-compliance of the transfer order persist, Rodrigues shall be liable to incur various consequences under the service rules, including disciplinary action and debarment from promotion,” the order stated.
The MHA has rejected all requests for deferment or cancellation of the transfer, noting that no further representations will be entertained.
The order was also sent to the Chief Secretaries of Goa and Ladakh, and directly to Rodrigues. It cited Para 9(viii) of the AGMUT cadre transfer guidelines, which allows for punitive measures like salary stoppage, issuance of displeasure notes, and debarment from central deputation for officers failing to join their assigned postings.
A report published had noted that Rodrigues, along with IAS officers Prasad Lolayekar and Swetika Sachan, had not moved to their new postings in Ladakh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Delhi, respectively, despite transfer orders.
Sources earlier indicated that Rodrigues’ continuation in Goa was due to incomplete work on Smart City projects, while other officers were retained for key ongoing initiatives like the National Education Policy rollout.
The latest MHA directive makes clear that administrative convenience will no longer override central transfer guidelines, and signals a tougher stance on compliance within the civil services.