NEW DELHI: In a breather for IAS officers, the government has come out with revised rules, making it clear that approval of the Prime Minister is a must before transferring an officer working in the Central government. The move is aimed at allowing bureaucrats to take decisions without fearing political backlash
Besides, the Centre has to be informed within 48 hours if any officer is suspended at the state level, and a detailed project report has to be submitted within a fortnight.
The move comes against the backdrop of bureaucrats facing transfers or suspension following tussles with the political class or taking a stand in conflict with the state governments. The storm created after the suspension of IAS officer Durga Shakti Nagpal in Uttar Pradesh is still fresh in people’s mind.
According to reports, a conscious attempt has been made to ensure that the officers take decisions without any fear of political backlash.
As per the revised rules to all-India services officers — IAS, IPS (Indian Police Service) and IFoS (Indian Forest Service) — the suspension period has been reduced to two months from the existing three months, by both the central as well as state governments.
The Rules also talked about setting up of a central review committee. It said IAS officers working under the Central government shall be suspended only on the recommendations of the review committee with the approval of the Minister-in-charge of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).
The Prime Minister is incharge of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, under which the DoPT functions. The three-member central review committee will be headed by the secretary in DoPT and will have an establishment officer and another secretary of the ministry concerned, as its members.
“The government’s aim is to eradicate corruption from bureaucracy and we also wish to provide an officer-friendly environment so that none of the officers is intimidated by any of the government rules... The new rules will also encourage honest officers and ensure justice for all,” Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Jitendra Singh said.