The Assam Government has launched Swagat Satirtha 2.0, a digital portal to streamline mutual transfers of Grade III and Grade IV State government employees, enhancing transparency and efficiency.

What is Swagat Satirtha 2.0?

• Swagat Satirtha 2.0 is an online mutual transfer portal launched by Assam’s CM.
• It enables Grade III and Grade IV employees to apply for mutual transfers digitally, without physical visits to government offices.
• The portal was launched at Lok Sewa Bhawan, Dispur.

How does the transfer process work?

• An employee seeking transfer:
  • Submits an online application with service details.
  • Selects five preferred districts.
• A designated officer:
  • Verifies application details for accuracy and eligibility.
• The applicant can then:
  • Send mutual transfer requests to eligible employees in the selected districts.
• Once both employees agree:
  • The request is forwarded to the head of the concerned directorate.
  • After approval, the transfer order is issued digitally.

Why is this initiative significant?

• Assam becomes the first state in India to implement such a fully transparent mutual transfer system.
• It eliminates:
  • Paperwork and file movement
  • Repeated visits to government offices
  • Informal influence and discretion
• Transfers that earlier required thousands of files can now be processed with a single digital workflow.
• Employees save nearly ₹10,000 per person in travel and related expenses.

Performance of Swagat Satirtha 1.0

• 4,502 applications approved, benefiting 9,004 employees.
• Covered 32 government departments.
• Around 31,000 employees registered in the first phase.
• The success of version 1.0 led to the launch of Swagat Satirtha 2.0.

Governance and reform angle

• Reflects Good Governance principles:
  • Transparency
  • Accountability
  • Use of technology
• Complements earlier reforms in transparent recruitment.
• Aligns with Digital India and minimum government, maximum governance philosophy.

Future roadmap

• The portal will be opened twice every financial year.
• The government aims to eliminate routine transfer demands within three years, except in public interest.

Exam Hook – 

Q. Consider the following statements regarding Swagat Satirtha 2.0:

1. It facilitates mutual transfers of only Group A officers in Assam.
2. It is a fully digital portal ensuring verification and approval without physical file movement.
3. Assam is the first state in India to introduce such a transparent mutual transfer system.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 2 and 3 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct answer: (a)

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