At choice postings, babus work harder, earn more

The Ghaziabad Municipal corporation has broken all its previous records in revenue generation. And the usually non-performing, corrupt babus (government officials) are its star performers this year.

The Ghaziabad Municipal corporation has broken all its previous records in revenue generation.

HT Image

And the usually non-performing, corrupt babus (government officials) are its star performers this year.

The corporation has earned a total of Rs 121 crore till January in this fiscal, which is the highest amount of revenue earned ever in the history of the corporation, said H.S. Sahariya, MCG tax in-charge.

It has earned Rs 22 crore more than the previous year.

The corporation's trick lies in a bidding process for its officers.

In October 2009, it offered them their choice postings, but the catch was that they would have to collect more than 30 per cent of the highest collection figure in the last five years in their respective areas.

After the bids, 47 out of 60 tax inspectors were given postings of their choice.

“As a result, revenue was earned and employees worked harder than before to retain their places,” said Ajay Shanker Pandey, the municipal commissioner.

He ruled out corruption as a reason behind the officers' interest in getting choice postings.

“We did not enquire about their personal interests for their choice of postings during the tender process. We were only concerned with increased revenues they promised in the bids,” said Pandey.

“We told them that what they promised should come to corporation,” he said.

The bidders said their choices were based on local area knowledge and considerations like family residence and expertise.

“Knowledge about the area helped. The erring taxpayers were targeted when I got the posting of my choice. This helped me to collect more revenues," said Mahendra Singh, a tax-inspector with the corporation.

“We gave our best to secure our desired postings. The fear of action was less and the employees who put pressure to get choice postings were discouraged,” said Vijay Pal Tyagi, another tax-inspector. “So, those willing to work performed better.”

The non-performers will now face departmental action and spin charkha at the self-realisation room on the fifth floor of the corporation building.

“Those who performed would get recommendation certificates. We may also offer them out-of-turn promotion and may also consider dropping any previous departmental action pending against them,” said Pandey.