The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has informed a parliamentary panel that only 442 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers are working with the Centre, against the required strength of 1469 officers.
The Central government has been facing acute shortage of All India Services (AIS) officers such as the IAS and the Indian Police Service (IPS) as many officers are either unwilling to come on Central deputation or States do not relieve them due to shortage at their end.
The details were mentioned in the 2023-24 Demands for Grants report of DOPT that was tabled in the Rajya Sabha last week.
The report stated, “On being asked about the impact of IAS crunch on administration, DoPT stated that the total authorized strength comprises Senior Duty Posts and various reserves such as State Deputation Reserve, Junior Reserve, Leave Reserve, Training Reserve and Central Deputation Reserve. Of these reserves, except for the Central Deputation reserve, all other reserves are being utilized by the States. DoPT further said that out of the prescribed Central Deputation Reserve of 1469, only 442 officers are working at the Centre.”The panel headed by Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) member Sushil Kumar Modi said it was of the considered opinion that IAS officers are a common and shared asset of the country and therefore, it is incumbent upon them to serve both the Center and States.
The committee added that there was a shortage of 1472 IAS officers across the country and to address the issue, the Central Government has been recruiting 180 IAS officers annually through Civil Services Examination. As on January 1, 2022, the total number of IAS officers stood at 5,317.
The panel was informed that as many as 115 IAS officers had not filed immovable property returns, a mandatory exercise.
The report said that 23% posts were vacant in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and since January 1, 2022, only 175 officers were recruited.
One of the reasons stated was that CBI is not receiving sufficient nominations of officers from Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) and State police which have traditionally been a major source of induction, particularly up to the rank of Inspector in the organisation.
The CBI informed the committee that it does not favor direct recruitment of Inspectors and Deputy Superintendents of Police as it will affect career progression and also bring frustration as senior posts are liquidated. amongst them despite having additional technical and professional qualifications.
The committee said that CBI showed reluctance to accept its suggestion to increase direct recruitment of Inspectors instead of them coming on deputation or through promotion.
“The Committee observes that the mode of recruitment to the rank of Inspector of Police (1024 posts) is 50% through deputation/absorption and 50% through promotion. Keeping in view the problems being faced by CBI in inducting officers through deputation, the Committee recommends that the percentage of officers inducted through deputation at the level of Inspector of Police be restricted to 10% and the remaining 40% officers may be recruited through Direct Recruitment /Limited Departmental Competitive Examination,” the report said.
Menstrual Leave: DoPT informed the committee there was no proposal to introduce menstrual leave for women employees in the Central government.
The Committee notes that “menstruation debilitates most women and affects their productivity and performance at the workplace.” The Committee notes that, at present, there is no policy in place to address this need and Article 42 of the Constitution directs the State to make provision for securing ‘just and humane’ conditions of work.