Babus in Karnataka are expecting another high-level reshuffle, after the change in government. As the JD (S)-Congress government headed by chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy settles in, observers say that the chief minister is very likely to fill crucial positions in the government with babus of his choice. For at least five months, the bureaucracy in Karnataka has been in a state of flux, thanks to the frequent change of guard in the upper echelons of the administration.
According to sources, several officers, who were neglected during the Congress regime and have JD(S) leanings, are set to return to key posts. The alleged marginalisation of Vokkaliga officers during the previous government is also said to have cost Congress dearly in the state Assembly polls but are likely to return into the limelight in the new dispensation.
The key position of the chief secretary will fall vacant on June 30 with incumbent K. Ratna Prabha due to retire. In all probability, T.M. Vijay Bhaskar, will be her successor.
Promotion concerns
With most states functioning with depleted strength of IAS officers, and with the Centre delaying recommendations for Central deputation, babus are concerned over the likely impact of this delay on their career prospects.
Recently, the Uttar Pradesh IAS association reportedly wrote to the Centre seeking an amendment in its policy of IAS officers at the rank of Additional Secretary and Secretary. In the letter to the department of personnel and training (DoPT), association chairman, Pravir Kumar, has claimed that the inordinate delay in forwarding names for Central deputation on JS-level posts will have an adverse impact on their career prospects.
According to the DoPT, an IAS officer should have at least three years of experience in a joint secretary-rank post at the Centre to become eligible for appointment at the level of additional secretary.
Hunt on for CCI chief
The government has begun the search for the next chairperson of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) since the tenure of outgoing chairperson D.K. Sikri expires in July this year.
Mr Sikri had assumed office in January 2016 as its third chairperson. The applications need to be submitted by July 2. Many names of prospective candidates have already started doing the rounds.
Those who are being seen as frontrunners for the post include former corporate affairs secretary Tapan Ray, outgoing UP chief secretary Rajive Kumar, outgoing Union commerce secretary Rita Teotia, former DIPAM secretary Niraj Gupta and the outgoing secretary, ministry of human resource development Anil Swarup.
