THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Cabinet has in principle approved the need for setting up a Kerala Administrative Service (KAS) based on a report by a committee, headed by Chief Secretary E K Bharat Bhushan, pegging the upper age limit for recruitment at 28 years, with three years’ relaxation for SC/ST candidates.
To fill up existing 26 vacancies in the State Civil Service quota in the IAS, the committee has recommended a onetime special selection-recruitment drive, with the approval of the Union Department of Personnel and Training. Recruitment to KAS maybe made every two years.
The Cabinet decided to hold broad-based discussions with all concerned, especially service organizations, before implementing the “catch ’em young” policy to constitute a middle order civil service, which will also be a feeder service for appointment of IAS officers.
Revenue Minister Adoor Prakash said the ministerial consensus was in favour of constituting a youthful cadre but this would await the outcome of extensive discussions and the due process of legislation.
The PSC stand would be crucial as it recruits candidates to the Kerala Administrative Service. “I’ve advised the Government that the upper age limit should be 28 years. Would insist on this if the matter is again referred to the PSC”, said Kerala Public Service Commission chairman Dr. K S Radhakrishnan.
Asked whether it would be feasible to keep the upper age limit at 28 years in Kerala, which had nearly 45 lakh on the live registers of employment exchanges, and especially when UPSC limit is 32 years and 33 years in many other States that have their own administrative services, Dr Radhakrishnan said “it is necessary to ensure that bright candidates, who prove their mettle in administration, are groomed to fill up the State quota for the IAS at a young age”.
The Bhushan committee has fixed graduation the minimum qualification, recommending that the new service adheres to all reservation norms in Government service.
The Cabinet treats this with utmost urgency as only 98 out of the total 157 vacancies of IAS are filled. The IAS quota to be filled by officers from the State Civil Service, comprising deputy collectors and above, is 60 but 26 vacancies remain unfilled and by 2016, this number would rise to 38.
The Bhushan committee recommends a ratio of 1:1 in recruiting officers to the KAS through direct recruitment by PSC and by promoting gazetted officers from the State Civil Service through transfer appointment.
Qualification for recruitment to KAS by transfer: Should have completed one year in the first gazetted post and the probation in the first gazetted post should be completed satisfactorily. Should not cross 52 years as on January 1 of the year in which the selection for appointment is made.
