Editorial
Promotions en masse
Politicisation in administration becomes entrenched
The eligibility criteria for promotions in public administration have been turned upside down. It has become a routine feature of the style of governance that as the national election approaches, the flurry of promotions picks up a brisker pace. Considerations of merit, experience, reputation and competence are relegated to a gusto for elevating and rewarding officials for their perceived loyalty and strong lobbying capacity.
Thus we see in the latest move, 345 deputy secretaries being elevated to the rank of joint secretary. Only in March this year, 182 senior assistant secretaries were promoted as deputy secretaries. The third round of promotion said to be on the anvil would mean upgrading joint secretaries as additional secretaries.
The promotions do not correspond to the availability of posts. In fact, those promoted hold their current charges. Understandably, however, they are entitled to the status, salaries and benefits of a higher position. The cost-benefit ratio is to that extent adverse.
In the process, a large number of officials with a legitimate claim to promotion are superseded by the fortunate promotees. This has the effect of demoralising bureaucracy, or in the very least it brings into sharp focus under-utilisation of trained and experienced officials with professional integrity. Add to this, 343 OSDs from the level of assistant secretary to that of secretary as of May 2013 languishing in the backwaters of administration. They have been turned into sinecures. A developing country can hardly afford such a luxury of keeping idlers.
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