Raipur, December 02
Ahead of new government’s formation, State administration has geared up to insulate bureaucrats from unwarranted political intrusions. According to information, the administration has fostered the process of setting up an independent Civil Services Board (CSB) to ensure security of tenure for the babus and qualify political interference as per directives of Supreme Court.
Ruling on a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by former union cabinet secretary TSR Subramanian and 82 other civil servants, the apex court, in its October 31 directive, had asked the central and state governments to establish CSBs within three months to handle transfers, promotions and disciplinary actions pertaining to bureaucrats.
These subjects are presently dealt by department of personnel and training at Centre and general administration department (GAD) in states. Sources informed that CSB in Chhattisgarh would start functioning before January 31.
Chief secretary Sunil Kumar has recently prepared a draft of CSB by taking inputs from senior IAS officials. He has directed GAD to work on draft and quickly set up the board.
The ex officio chairman of the board will be chief secretary while director general of police and principal conservator of forests will be its prominent members. The GAD is yet to fix total strength of the board members.
According to draft, frequent reshuffle would not be allowed and minimum tenure of an official from district to secretary level will be three years. If the ministers would wish to shuffle officials in their department, they would have to obtain permission from CSB by furnishing appropriate reason.
While the bureaucrats are hailing the new format, the politicians feel that power of transfer and posting should not be snatched from the government.
A senior IAS officer on anonymity said the concept of board would not only empower the bureaucrats, but also make them more responsible and aware.
“Less or no transfer means stability, less pending cases, more development works and more transparency. On the other hand, the officials will be in pressure to perform to get elevated,” he added.
The scene about new government in State will be clear on December 8. Usually, after elections, the party which forms government rewards the bureaucrats who favour them and punishes those who support their opponents or remain neutral. To prevent the new government to wreak revenge on selected babus, the State administration is attempting to rapidly constitute CSB.
No comments:
Post a Comment