Maharashtra cadre officials oppose exam plan for IAS promotion

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra civil service
officers' association has objected to the Centre's proposal to hold a
competitive examination for promotion of state revenue officials to the
Indian Administration Service (IAS) cadre.

A month ago, the
Centre proposed that instead of nominating state revenue cadre on the
basis of seniority, the Union Public Service Commission hold a
competitive examination for such nominees.

At present, additional collectors are inducted into the IAS on the
basis of their seniority and their confidential service record of the
last five years. During the last five years, an average of 10 additional
collectors were inducted into the IAS.

"The new scheme will
result in injustice to several candidates. Most of the southern states
have rejected the proposal. Maharashtra, too, should reject it," a
senior office-bearer of the state civil service officers' association
said. "We will soon submit a memorandum to chief minister Prithviraj
Chavan and chief secretary J K Banthia to lodge a protest against the
central plan. The CM and the chief secretary should discuss the pros and
cons of the proposal in the cabinet and with the office-bearers of the
association before taking a final decision."

There are 550 deputy
collectors and 180 additional collectors in Maharashtra. All additional
collectors are eligible for induction into the IAS, depending on the
number of vacant posts.

"So far, the state government has not
received the proposal, but the new scheme should be considered," said
Banthia. "Once we receive the Centre's proposal, we will take a decision
on whether or not to accept the scheme."

Currently, it takes a
minimum of 20 years for a state revenue officer to be inducted into the
IAS. The Centre's reasoning is that the new scheme will ensure that
officers are inducted into the IAS earlier and adequate weightage is
given to the number of years an official has put in the service.


"We have additional collectors who have put in 20-23 years, but are
still waiting for induction into the IAS. The Centre has proposed an
exam for them. Their experience would be given due importance," Banthia
said.



 Source:http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-05-21/mumbai/39417815_1_ias-new-scheme-collectors by  Prafulla Marpakwar, TNN May 21, 2013, 01.57AM IST