PCS officers reject written exam plan

Four state governments have rejected the Centre's proposal to make written exams mandatory for Provincial Civil Services (PCS) officers to become eligible for promotion to the IAS grade. Srinand Jha reports.

Four state governments have rejected the Centre's proposal to make written exams mandatory for Provincial Civil Services (PCS) officers to become eligible for promotion to the IAS grade.

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As of now, PCS officers are being promoted to the IAS grade on the basis of seniority and merit. All India State Civil Service Officers Association (AISCSOA), at a meeting on Sunday, decided to "out-rightly reject" the Centre's proposal.

"Rejection letters from most of the state governments will be sent within the next few days," AISCSA general secretary SD Singh Dhillon said.

In the run-up to the 2014 polls, state civil service officers are also threatening to boycott election duty, if the central government does not withdraw the move. "The proposal is hugely flawed, as it will provide for a situation when junior officers will supercede the seniors. This will destroy the bureaucracy's hierarchical structure and chain of command," Dhillon said.

In its May 21 notification, the DoPT had sought views of chief secretaries on the proposal to provide for written exam to state service officers as a pre-requisite for selection for three all-India services - IAS, IPS and the IFoS.

The move came on the recommendation from Administrative Reforms Commission and the UPSC which suggested changes in the existing system.

"It is requested that the comments of the state government, if any, on the above regulations may be sent to this department urgently, on or before May 31, 2013 failing which, it will be presumed that the state government does not have any comments to offer in this regard and necessary action will be taken," the DoPT circular said.