Transfer cannot be claimed as a right by government employees

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The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Thursday held that an employee in government service cannot claim transfer as a matter of right.

Justice SM Subramaniam emphasised transfer is only incidental to service and that a concession can never be claimed as a right.

"This Court is of the considered opinion that transfer itself is incidental to service, more so, a condition of service. Transfer can never be claimed as a matter of right by the Government employees. Transfers are issued on administrative grounds. It is the prerogative of the public administration to transfer the employee in the public interest and to ensure efficient and effective administration," the order stated.