Dilli Ka Babu
Blurry guidelines
Haryana officers and others too must be watching how a Uttar Pradesh cadre IAS officer has created a stir by approaching the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) for directions to the Centre on framing specific promotion rules for the all India services. Amitabh Thakur has stated that there are no definitive guidelines for the promotion of IAS and IPS officers, which leaves too much in the hands of the selection panel. Apparently, Section 3 of the All India Services Act entails that the Central government make rules regarding different aspects of all-India services such as the IAS, IPS and IFS. Instead, Mr Thakur claims, promotions are being done through three separate government guidelines, which lack legal sanctity.
The issue merits interest since it focuses attention to the grey area of discretionary powers amid which most babus function. It has been the centre of considerable debate within and without the bureaucracy. Mr Thakur’s application may just provide the nudge for a clearer picture to emerge on babu promotions.
Rumble of discontent
The Central Administrative Tribunal’s decision to appoint a Andhra Pradesh IAS officer, M. Samuel, as chief commissioner of land administration (CCLA) has led to three special chief secretaries — Chaya Ratan, Indrajit Pal and Md Shafiquzzaman — to challenge it in court. The move has set off ripples felt throughout the corridors of babudom, since the post of CCLA is also considered a stepping stone to the post of a chief secretary.
The three disgruntled IAS officers have objected to Mr Samuel’s elevation, claiming that he is an accused in a CBI case and is facing criminal prosecution. They add that promoting Mr Samuel as special chief secretary when there are no such vacancies was illegal. Sources say that one of the petitioners, Chaya Ratan, who is special chief secretary of the home department, is miffed at being not given additional charge, as is the protocol, when additional home secretary Gautam Kumar went on leave twice.
Instead a junior IAS officer, Ajayendra Pyal, was brought in to fill in Mr Kumar’s shoes. Clearly, this affair is far from over.
No Deputation please
A stint on deputation to the Centre is coveted by most bureaucrats, but, surprisingly not by IAS and IPS officers in Punjab, who seem more content to remain on home turf. Sources say that only two officials from among the current sanctioned strength of 221 IAS officers — R.C. Nayar, principal secretary, labour; and Dr Roshan Sunkaria — in the state have shown willingness to go on Central deputation. They find it even odder that no IPS officer has opted for Central posting.
Currently, 15 Punjab cadre officers are on Central deputation, including Anjuli Chib Duggal (1981), N.S. Kalsi (1984), Kalpana Mittal (1985) and Ravneet Kaur (1988). The state government has apparently already recalled Ms Ravneet saying her services are now needed in the state.
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