Haryana cracks whip on officials holding dual charge

In a bid to instil transparency in the administration, especially at the district level, the Nayab Singh Saini Government has cracked the whip on officials and employees having dual charge at the headquarters and districts.

In a communication to the heads of the departments (HoDs) across the state and nodal officers working in the departments and districts, the Additional Chief Secretary (Finance), asked them to "refrain" from assigning the additional charge of the post having higher pay scale to officials working on the lower pay scales. Besides, officials will not be given additional charge in their hometowns, a development which will go a long way in checking "undue" discretion at their disposal.

No additional charge in hometown

*Officials having lower pay scale cannot hold charge of post having higher pay scale

*No additional charge to be given to officials in hometown.

*Decision would cut wasteful expenditure from state exchequer

*Officials will not be able to enjoy double perks, including dual accommodation

* Decision would open up promotional avenues for junior officials

Giving the rationale behind the twin decisions, a senior government functionary said the main aim was to prevent the 'misuse' of official facilities and instil transparency in administration.

Currently, hundreds of such officials and employees having dual charges at headquarters and district levels continue to enjoy dual benefits, including retention of official accommodation.

Besides, a number of officials continue to retain plum postings at the district levels despite their promotion and posting at the headquarters. There are also instances when the officials retain their postings at Chandigarh or Panchkula while being posted at the district level to enjoy perks such as official accommodation at the headquarters. These officials also enjoy other perks associated with dual posts. Also, such officials tend to develop vested interests at their dual postings, the functionary asserted, adding that these officials block the promotional avenues of their junior officials.

In addition to instilling transparency in the administration, the twin decision would also go a long in saving 'wasteful' expenditure from tee state exchequer.