COIMBATORE: Veterinary assistant surgeons have urged the state animal husbandry department to defer the general transfer counselling proposed for 2026, alleging that it is being scheduled during the non-transfer period in violation of government guidelines.A delegation of veterinary assistant surgeons submitted a representation to the director of animal husbandry in Chennai, seeking postponement of the counselling. They sought conduct of the counselling only during the officially designated transfer period.According to the petitioners, guidelines issued by the personnel and administrative reforms department stipulate that general transfers of govt employees should be carried out only between April 1 and May 31 every year. The period from June 1 to March 31 is classified as a non-transfer period, during which routine transfer exercises are not ordinarily undertaken.The veterinarians said schools had already reopened and students had completed nearly a month of the academic year. If compulsory transfers are implemented now, more than 400 women veterinary assistant surgeons recruited under the women’s reservation quota could be forced to relocate to other districts, causing hardship to their families and children.They pointed out that the state is set to launch the ninth phase of the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccination campaign on July 1, targeting over one crore livestock. With vacancies in several veterinary institutions, veterinary assistant surgeons are already handling multiple responsibilities, including vaccination drives, livestock identification, disease surveillance and implementation of the National Digital Livestock Mission (NDLM).The association warned that transfers at this juncture could affect the execution of key animal welfare programmes and urged the department to conduct only vacancy-based counselling, as followed in other government departments.Dr M Balaji, coordinator, Tamil Nadu Veterinary Graduates Federation (TNVGF), said that ahead of the 2026 general transfer counselling, in which nearly 1,000 veterinary assistant surgeons are expected to participate, concerns have been raised over any proposed special priority in transfer allotment. They urged the department to ensure it does not override seniority, TNPSC rank and merit. They appealed for fairness, transparency, and equal opportunity.EOM
