NEW DELHI: As many as 158 new IAS officers were today appointed as Assistant Secretaries in different ministries here as part of a first-of-its-kind initiative by the Union government to groom these bureaucrats at the Centre before they move out to their respective state cadres.
These officers of the 2013-batch will be starting their career from Delhi, instead of cadre states allocated to them, on central deputation for three months beginning August 31.
They will "report to their respective state cadres" after completion of their three-month tenure here, an order issued by Department of Personnel and Training (DOPT) said.
This decision will give an opportunity to these Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers to be groomed at the Centre before they move over to their respective state of posting.
"This will not only help in enriching their perspective, but would also acquaint them with the functioning of the Union government and enable them to get themselves introduced to various functionaries and officials in the central government hierarchy.
"It may also, later on, make it easier for them to discharge their responsibilities more effectively when they take up bureaucratic, administrative or field assignments in the state," Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh said.
As per existing rules, IAS officers were eligible to come on central deputation only after completing nine years service at their respective cadre.
"It is for the first time that these IAS officers will be starting their career from Delhi. A special designation of Assistant Secretary has been given to them for the purpose. It will give them necessary exposure to the central government working," a senior DoPT official said.
Of the total number of officers, eight have been posted in Finance Ministry, seven in Home Ministry, six each in Ministries of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Communication and Information Technology and Agriculture, and four in Personnel Ministry.
None of the officer has been posted in Prime Minister's Office.