Thiruvananthapuram: More than a year has passed since government issued an order forming Kerala Administrative Services, but barring certain declarations like inclusion of second gazetted posts in 18 departments for state civil service category nothing much has happened.
The government made certain amendments to the original order in view of objections raised by service organizations. Instead of including all second gazetted posts in 18 departments, it decided take only 10 per cent.
There is still lack of clarity on inclusion of secretariat officers in KAS though the Tenth Pay Commission has recommended inclusion of 10 per cent of the relevant secretariat posts. The panel also suggested that maximum age limit for transfers and promotions be reduced to 48 from 52. This would provide at least 10 more years for officers to work in the KAS.
“It is a great idea to have a state administrative cadre. We don’t have enough quality and competent officers. The KAS would surely bring in more competent officers to state’s bureaucracy. But the entire process is held up due to objections raised by service organisations,” said Chief Secretary Jiji Thomson.
The staff unions say they are not against KAS move. “In the present form, it is not beneficial for state officers or secretariat services. Barring announcements no concrete steps have been taken yet,” said T C Math ukutty, state general secretary Kerala NGO Union.
In the absence of state administrative service, deputy collectors in the revenue department are declared as state civil service for promotion to IAS. This system was started more than five decades ago when major portion of administration was handled by revenue department.
Now there are 26 departments which deal with subjects barring land revenue administration and magisterial duties. In the absence of competent officials for promotion to IAS, there is a shortage of 60 to 70 IAS officers at a given time.
