Dilli Ka Babu: Who will bell the cat?

Though the government simplified the process of filing immovable property returns for babus in 2016, there has not been much change in their attitudes. Despite the expiry of the deadline for filing immovable property returns (IPRs) for 2018, 340 IAS officers are yet to file their details. The last date for submitting IPRs for 2018 was January 31.

Sources say that the department of personnel and training (DoPT) has sent several reminders, the latest one coming on February 7, 2019. The letter, issued to all states, warns that the failure to submit property details may have serious consequences. Apparently, failure to file the mandatory IPRs may lead to denial of vigilance clearance to IAS officers for their inclusion in the offer list, empanelment, any deputation for which Central government clearance is necessary, including deputation under AIS cadre rules, appointment to sensitive posts, assignment to training programmes (except mandatory training), premature repatriation to the cadre, etc.

The recalcitrant babus will of course fall in line in due course, but clearly it is one task that they undertake most reluctantly. And with elections around the corner, the next government will have to bell this cat.

MHA query stumps TN babus
The ministry of home affairs (MHA) has sought a clarification from the Tamil Nadu chief secretary as to how T.K. Rajendran, a 1984-batch IPS officer, remains the director-general of police since he should have retired from service two years ago.

Replying to a proposal of the state government to promote four batches of IPS officers in the ranks of superintendent of police, deputy inspector-general of police, inspector-general of police and additional director-general of police, the home ministry raised certain queries and called for an explanation.

According to sources, officials in the state are surprised by the MHA queries. It is pointed out that Mr Rajendran was appointed director-general of police on the day he was to retire from service. He got the benefit of a fixed two-year tenure as per the Supreme Court ruling in the Prakash Singh case. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) was also part of the process. The home ministry has also asked how IPS officers have been kept in ex-cadre posts for more than two years without the approval of the Centre. The proposal of the state government recommending promotion to IPS officers had referred to two officers — B. Balanagadevi and D. Abhinav Kumar — as officers on Central deputation. It was pointed out that these officers were on inter-cadre deputation to Telangana and Bihar respectively and could not be brought under the head of Central deputation.

Apparently, many officers are serving in ex-cadre posts for more than two years without the approval of the Centre. But this is not unique to Tamil Nadu, say sources.

Secretaries wanted
Want a government job? Or after retirement from Central services, do you still miss your working days? The department of personnel and training (DoPT) has temporarily opened a window wherein retired personal assistants (PAs) and private secretaries (PSs) who worked in Central services, can now have an opportunity to work as stenographers in the department. According to sources, DoPT has issued a circular seeking those interested to apply. The appointments reportedly would initially be for a period of six months with the monthly remuneration paid on the basis of the last pay drawn minus pension. However, no other allowances will be paid. According to the circular, the rehiring of such retired personnel will be purely on a temporary basis which can be extended every month depending on the basis of vacancies in the respective grades. While applying, the retired personnel will need to furnish the last pay certificate and bank details, among others.