UP MPs back PCS officers in fight against centre

Cutting across party lines, MPs belonging to Uttar Pradesh have put their weight behind the fight of the Provincial Civil Services (PCS) officers against the Centre's proposal for a mandatory written test as an eligibility condition for promotion to the IAS grade.

Cutting across party lines, MPs belonging to Uttar Pradesh have put their weight behind the fight of the Provincial Civil Services (PCS) officers against the Centre's proposal for a mandatory written test as an eligibility condition for promotion to the IAS grade.

HT Image

Congress MPs Sanjay Singh and Raja Ram Pal, besides Murli Manohar Joshi and Kalyan Singh (BJP); Ramkishan Yadav (SP) and Ashok Rawat (BSP) have opposed the Centre's move.

"Letters of support have been received from about 10 MPs," said an office-bearer of the All-India State Civil Services Association.

In its notification of May 21, the DoPT had sought views of chief secretaries of states on the proposal to provide for written examinations to state service officers as a pre-requisite for selection for the three All India Services - Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and the Indian Forest Service (IFoS).

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