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

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