Dilip Cherian | Himachal dithers as babu shortage persists at the top

The severe shortage of capable babus in Himachal Pradesh is exacerbated by the state government’s seeming reluctance to act on the issue. Observers note that with a shortfall of 35 IAS officers out of the total cadre of 153 and five senior bureaucrats due for retirement this year, the situation demands urgent attention.

Currently, Himachal Pradesh has only 110 IAS officers across various positions, falling significantly short of the required strength. Surprisingly, chief minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu has been seeking a mere two to three officers in each batch, which clearly is insufficient to bridge the gap. This neglect is evident from the fact that even during the previous administration, the state got only six IAS officers in 2016. There’s an urgent need the babus are urging the CM to rectify now. 

Notably, the state has five posts of additional chief secretary (ACS), including the chief secretary, but not a single babu currently serves in these positions. Two ACS-rank officers are on Central deputation, while the remaining positions are vacant due to the lack of suitable officers. Sources note that even officers eligible for promotion in January 2024, such as Anuradha Thakur and Onkar Chand Sharma, are unable to fill these vacancies.

Clearly, the situation cannot be allowed to linger. Addressing this administrative ‘drought’ immediately is necessary to ensure effective decision-making and overall governance.

Court rejects WB plea in IPS cadre transfer case

The Supreme Court has dismissed the West Bengal government’s petition contesting a Delhi high court ruling in IPS officer Sagar’s cadre transfer issue. The 2019 batch officer had requested a cadre transfer from West Bengal to Rajasthan, citing that his wife, also an IPS officer, served in the Rajasthan cadre. He said that in the past similarly placed couples had been given transfers. In February, the Central Administrative Tribunal directed the state government to issue the officer a no-objection certificate (NOC). The state government appealed the tribunal’s decision to the Delhi High Court, but it was denied. The CAT order has now been supported by the Supreme Court as well.

As the dust settles on this legal battle, it will be interesting to see how the Mamata Banerjee government responds to the court’s judgement. Will it comply with the CAT’s order and grant Sagar’s requested cadre transfer or explore alternative avenues for challenging the verdict? Observers speculate on the state government’s opposition to Sagar’s transfer request, however, most believe that it may be due to the shortage of IAS and IPS personnel in the state.

Sagar’s case emphasises the complexities surrounding cadre transfers, particularly for married officers, as well as the ramifications beyond this specific instance. The government’s answer will, undoubtedly be keenly watched, as it would signal its approach to cadre transfers and respect for legal processes.

Rajaraman to spearhead India’s financial governance

In a significant development, telecom secretary K. Rajaraman has been appointed as the chairperson of the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), assuming the role barely three months before his retirement. He will hold the position for three years or until he reaches the age of 65. Sources, however, have informed DKB that he is likely to join the Gandhinagar-based statutory authority in August. He will succeed Injeti Srinivas, who was the first chairperson of IFSCA.

The regulator act as a unified authority for the development and regulation of financial products, financial services, and financial institutions. Its primary objective is to create strong global connections while catering to the specific needs of the Indian economy, serving as an international financial platform for the region and the world.

Interestingly, IFSCA was the brainchild of former Union finance minister P. Chidambaram, who in 2007 recommended that India should have an international financial services centre. But it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi, then chief minister of Gujarat, who was the first to announce the setting up of Gujarat International Finance Tech-City (GIFT) at Gandhinagar.

With Mr Rajaraman at the helm, it is hoped that his experience and expertise will drive IFSCA’s growth and enable it to effectively fulfil its mandate.