(1) Total number of transfers to be done collectively by all the Competent Authorities in the state shall not 13 exceed ten percent actual working strength in the cadre with the tenure prescribed for that cadre. However, this limit shall not be applicable during the first three years of operation of the Act and Rules.
(2) The Apex Authority shall decide optimal number of general transfers to be done in each cadre during the year keeping in mind the number of requests received and the administrative exigencies of the department. The numbers so decided shall be distributed across different Competent Authorities and notified on the website. All the Authorities shall adhere to the number specified for them. The website itself shall automatically lock once the upper limit is reached.
(3) The number once decided shall be final and shall not be altered during that general transfer season.
(4) For the purpose of count, each forest officer or other official posted or appointed to a new post shall be counted as one.
(5) A detailed account of general transfers and contingent transfers done shall be maintained separately for the purpose of keeping the count.