Already reeling under shortage of IAS officers, Himachal Pradesh Government will now face another crisis like situation with four more officers getting clearance to go on central deputation and on study leaves abroad.
At present, over a dozen senior IAS officers have been given additional charges which is hampering the efficiency and working of different departments. Piles of files are lying on tables of department’s secretaries tables for approval. Out of the 147 cadre strength of IAS officers, 26 senior IAS officers are said to be on central deputation, while the State has a vacancy of 14 IAS officers. Four more senior officers have got clearance to go on central deputation and study leaves abroad.
Among the two IAS officers, who will be going on central deputation are 1983 batch officers Bharti Shiyag and AR Shiyag, while two senior officers 1995 batch IAS officer Bharat Khera will be going on study leave for USA and 1997 batch IAS officer Manish Garg will be going to United Kingdom. “1983 batch IAS officer Bharti Shiyag will be joining in the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry while her husband 1983 batch AR Shiyag will be joining in External Affairs Ministry,” said Personal Secretary SKBS Negi.
Sources said that some more IAS officers are also seeking to go on central deputation. Though Khera and Garg will be away for minimum of ten months but their absence is likely to put pressure on the bureaucracy which is already reeling with senior IAS officers’ shortage. To tackle the situation, the State Government is now considering to convene an early meeting of Departmental Promotional Committee (DPC) during next month to promote senior Himachal Administrative Service (HAS) officers with service of over 15-16 years to IAS ranks. “Yes, we are facing shortage of IAS officers but the functioning in various departments will be back to normal soon,” said a senior officer on a condition of anonymity. The officer added that a decision to deal with the shortage of IAS officers would be taken in the Departmental Promotion Committee.