Repatriate IAS officers: Govt to Centre

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 25

Faced with an acute shortage of middle level IAS officers, the Uttarakhand government has now written a letter to the Central government to at least send back some of the IAS officers who have gone on deputation to the Centre from the state.

The new BJP government is faced with an uphill task of strengthening the administration in the government but its efforts are being hampered by the acute shortage of IAS officers. At the middle level there is a shortage of 25 officers belonging to the rank of secretary and principal secretary.

More than ever, the government is relying on the officers of the rank of secretary and secretary (in charge) to handle three to four departments. Out of the sanctioned posts of 120 IAS officers for the state, only 80 officers are working.

Recently, Principal Secretary Dr Uma Kant Panwar had opted for voluntary retirement. He has now been adjusted by the government and is now heading the Uttarakhand State Centre for Public Policy and Good Governance Institute.

At the same time, additional secretary Sridhar Babu Addanki has also left for deputation to Andhra Pradesh.

Significantly, around 12 IAS officers from Uttarakhand are on deputation to the Centre or other state.

Recently, Chief Minister TS Rawat has written a second reminder to the Central government drawing its attention to the shortage and a request that at least some of the IAS officers on deputation be repatriated.