Karnataka Health minister Dr. K Sudhakar has made counselling mandatory for the transfer of medical officers and other staff in the Health and Family Welfare department. This has put a break on arbitrary transfers made round the year based on recommendations and other corrupt practices.<br />''<br />''In an order issued by the minister, disciplinary action will be initiated against those issuing transfer orders without counselling. However requests for transfer from employees battling illness, those on the verge of retirement and those who have 40 percent or more physical disability and such other special cases based on humanitarian grounds will be considered once in two months.<br />''<br />''<span style="color: #222222;">AIR correspondent reports that after the order was issued today on transfer based on counselling, the minister Dr. K Sudhakar tweeted that the decision will not only ensure transparency and discipline in transfers of medical officers and other staff but also prevent corruption and arbitrary transfers which negatively impact the functioning of the department and delivery of healthcare services to the people. The Karnataka State Civil Services (Regulation of Transfer of Medical Officers and other staff) Act prescribes under its rules that there is mandatory service of three years for Group A, four years for Group B, five years for Group C and seven years for Group D employees.</span>