Bemoans that set convention was being overlooked
Chandigarh, July 11-
Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann has sought the kind intervention of Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit for maintaining a ratio of 60:40 between the States of Punjab and Haryana for filling up of Civil Posts in the Chandigarh Administration.
In a letter to the governor, Bhagwant Mann asserted that following the reorganisation of the State of Punjab in 1966, Officers are generally taken on Inter-Cadre deputation with the approval of Government of India against some posts, such as Home Secretary, Finance Secretary, Deputy Commissioner and Commissioner, Municipal Corporation. He said that in past the posts of Finance Secretary and Commissioner, Municipal Corporation are filled up by IAS Officers from Punjab cadre, while those of Home Secretary and Deputy Commissioner are manned by IAS Officers from Haryana Cadre. He said that These officers are chosen after a rigorous selection process and they are given charges of various key departments as well.
However, Chief minister bemoaned that over the last few years, it has been noticed that the strength of IAS officers from the AGMUT Cadre has been consistently increasing in the Chandigarh Administration and most of the important posts which were earlier with Punjab Cadre IAS officers are being given to the IAS officers from AGMUT cadre. In this regard, He said that it is pertinent to mention that the key departments of Health, Education, Industries, Agriculture, Labour and Employment, Information Technology, Food & Supplies, Cooperation, Sports and Chandigarh Housing Board which were earlier with the Finance Secretary have been given to much junior AGMUT cadre IAS officers. Further, Bhagwan Mann said that the post of Managing Director, CITCO which is reserved for a Punjab Cadre IAS Officer has also been given to UT Cadre IAS officer.
The chief Minister said that heOfficers without requisite experience and knowledge of the U.T. Chandigarh and intricate linkages with issues of Punjab and Haryana, often dither in taking swift decisions and implementing the ones taken. He said that it has a negative bearing on the quality of governance and administration. Bhagwant Mann said that these developments are in clear violation of the spirit of Punjab Re-organisation Act, 1966 and undermine the status and morale of Punjab officers.
Asserting that the Punjab Government has been recommending officers of outstanding capabilities for deputation posts, Bhagwant Mann urged the Governor to personally look into the matter so that the IAS officers from Punjab cadre on deputation with Chandigarh Administration are assigned departments as per the well laid out convention and without any discrimination.
