NEW DELHI, May 10: A severe shortage of Indian Administrative Service officers is being felt in the country with the total strength of IAS cadre being put at 4,377 against 6,154 required, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.
Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office V Narayanasamy told Members during Question Hour that to fill 359 vacant posts recommmendations from State Governments were being awaited.
“IAS officers are borne to the state cadres. They, however, serve the Government of India on Central deputation. Out of the total authorised strength of 6,154 IAS officers in the country, the Central Deputation Reserve(SDR) is 1,331 enabling the officers to serve GOI on deputation. Of these, 675 IAS officers are in position as on 01.04.2012,” he told the House.
When SS Roy, AITC, raised the need for IAS officers in West Bengal to fill 87 vacancies in the state, the Minister admitted that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had written to the Centre in this regard.
Several Members expressed grave doubt over the impact of the IAS shortage on development works, with N K Singh, JD-U, stating that after UP, Bihar had as many as 128 vacancies.
Responding, Mr Narayanasamy attributed one of the reasons for the
officer crunch to more districts being carved out by State Governments.
Regarding the paucity of IAS officers holding up developmental work in several states, the Minister expressed hope that the shortfall which currently was at 23 per cent of the staff strength
would be reduced to 15 per cent in near future.
He informed the House that recommendations for officer selection
had to come from State Governments and that the Paswan committee recommendations were being followed in the selection process.
To overcome the shortfall, Mr Narayanasamy said if 10 officers had to be taken for the services, then 13 were being called for interview. However, he insisted that efforts were on not to compromise in quality during selections. (UNI)
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