(1) The Competent Authority may declare some of the following types of posts as critical posts based on the advice of State and Circle Authorities,-
(a) Field posts concerned with interstate border areas, Protected Areas and forests highly vulnerable to encroachment, smuggling and poaching.
(b) Any post concerned with gate keeping of vital information whose unauthorized disclosure could be detrimental to the department.
(c) Posts which require high level of technical expertise and long experience, and not easy to replace without affecting the ongoing work.
(d) Posts which are connected with flagship programs of the department.
(e) Sensitive posts which involve one or more of the following features:
(i) Deals with sensitive subjects like bulk procurements, recruitment, printing of secured stationery, management of high value assets, vigilance etc.
(ii) Faces constant pressure for disclosure of sensitive information to the detriment of public or Government interest.
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(iii) Deals with matters having large financial implications to Government.
(iv) Has high degree of personal judgment, low supervision, very few rules to guide, lacks preventive or mitigative measures and errors could be costly.
(v) Position is highly prone for fraud or misuse or abuse and inducement.
(2) A post once declared as critical shall remain as such for a period of three years.
(3) Critical posts shall not be kept vacant or be placed in additional charge for more than three months.
(4) Critical posts shall be filled by carefully selected forest officers or other officials with high degree of competence and integrity, with or without counseling.