Editorial
Promotions in civil administration
So many beyond authorised vacancy?
In a spate of slightly more than a year, two large scale promotions have taken place in the civil administration. This time though only in one rank i.e. from senior assistant secretary to deputy secretary, and mostly in the administrative cadre. But, several aspects of the promotions generate certain questions, coming as the promotions do with elections not very far off.
We wonder why the promotions at all when no vacancy exists in the rank of deputy secretary. As of now, reportedly, there are one thousand 532 deputy secretaries against the authorised vacancy of 830, and the recent promotion will add to the figure of unauthorised promotion. And we are told that those promoted will have to continue in their present rank because of lack of vacancy. If that is so, then what can be the motive behind the exercise? And that is where the general perception that these promotions have been done on partisan considerations find validity. And one should not overlook the fact that at this particular point several hundred civil servants are OSD. And this means that these officers are being actually paid for doing nothing at all.
Reportedly too, as many as 200 officers have been passed over due to certain shortfall. Although we do not know what exactly that might be, it is certainly becomes a matter of concern when such a large number of civil servants of the rank of senior assistant secretary cannot make it to the next rank because of some lacunae. Given the practice, it is most likely to be political in nature.
It needs to be repeated that civil servants are servants of the republic and their promotions appointment, postings etc should be based entirely on merit, performance and efficiency. Any other criterion, and certainly political consideration, will not only sap morale but will tell upon the performance and efficiency of the civil bureaucrats.
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