Govt raises age limit for HCS nomination to 48 years

Pradeep Sharma

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 17

Employees of the Haryana Government aiming for nomination to the HCS has something to cheer about with the government raising the age limit for nomination to 48 years.

In a circular to the heads of departments, the Chief Secretary also extended the date for submitting applications by various departments to October 15. There are four posts up up for grabs by Class III employees and six for the district revenue officers/tehsildars by way of nomination to the HCS.

Lobbying for nomination to the HCS has picked up momentum with revenue officials and Class III employees, including the secretariat staff, posted with senior bureaucrats and ministers, going all out to get their bosses recommend their names for nomination to the HCS.

The nomination to the HCS is made by a three-member committee headed by the Chief Secretary from three categories under the HCS (Executive Branch) Rules, 2008. Though there is a set pattern for nomination to the HCS, it has become a tool in the hands of bosses to “adjust” their “blue-eyed” employees over the years .

While the Chief Secretary recommended three names, the Additional Chief Secretary and the Financial Commissioner (Revenue) recommended two names. However, other heads of departments recommend one name.

Officials of the District Revenue Officers rank and tehsildars are nominated under Category I while members of Group C services are nominated under the Category II. Under Category III (Register C), District Development and Panchayat Officers and Block Development and Panchayat Officers are recommended for nomination.

The candidates’ service records, including ACRs, relevant experience, academic accomplishments and other professional achievements play a decisive role in nomination to the HCS.

Meanwhile, resentment prevails among a section of the officials, especially Class II ones, of the Haryana Government over undue “advantage” enjoyed by Class III staff in the nomination process.

Class II officials allege that Class III employees, usually attached with the Chief Minister, ministers and senior bureaucrats get an “unfair” chance to be nominated straight from Class III to Class I. Class II officers, selected through the Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC), are allegedly denied the right to be nominated to the HCS.