Chowdary Purushottam Naidu, the State Honorary President of the Andhra Pradesh GST Officers and Employees Association, has raised concerns about the frequent transfers of officials and staff in the GST Department. He said that the almost yearly transfers are causing a lot of stress and difficulties for many employees.
Speaking to the media, Mr. Naidu explained that despite being transferred just last year in 2024, many employees have once again been listed for transfer in 2025. This is because of a rule that considers ‘Station Seniority’ — meaning how long a person has been working from a particular location — when deciding transfers. As a result, many employees are being transferred repeatedly, even if their responsibilities have changed.
He said the Andhra Pradesh General Transfer Guidelines-2025 are being followed strictly, but the rules do not consider the actual roles and work jurisdictions of GST employees. For example, even if two employees work in the same office building, they may handle GST work from different areas or regions. Still, they are treated as if they are working in the same location and are transferred accordingly.
The GST Department in Andhra Pradesh is divided into four main zones — Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Vijayawada, and Guntur — along with 16 divisions including Vizianagaram, Kurnool, Nellore, and others. Many officials are working in the same zones and buildings but handle duties related to different regions. Mr. Naidu said this situation is not being considered properly, and employees are being moved unnecessarily.
He appealed to the government to rethink the transfer process. He said that if officers are working in the same building but handling different tasks and regions, then they should not be considered as having worked in the same post for five years. He requested the government to take these points into account while applying the five-year transfer rule.
Mr. Naidu was joined by Association President Allina Ramesh Kumar, Associate President Rayi Venugopal, and General Secretary Kalyan, who also supported the appeal. They submitted a memorandum to the Chief Commissioner of State Tax, requesting new guidelines that would reduce unnecessary transfers and provide a smooth, fair process.
The association leaders said that avoiding unnecessary transfers will benefit the GST Department as well, because experienced officers who have built good relationships with dealers over the years can continue their work without disruption. This will help maintain smooth tax collection and reduce the learning curve for new officers.
They also urged the department to exempt certain employees from transfer, such as those with health problems and those who are due for retirement in 2026, as it would be unfair to move them at the end of their careers.
The association requested the government to treat this matter with compassion and understanding, and to bring in practical changes to the transfer policy that will help both the employees and the Department.