Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made attempts to end red-tapism within the bureaucracy, a mandatory mid-level level training programme for Central Secretariat Services (CSS) officers has run into rough weather over the Government’s “indecisiveness”. While the training was earlier scheduled in United Kingdom from November 22, DoPT (Department of Personnel and Training) has not yet given sanctions making it difficult for the officials coordinating the training, which is an annual affair.
As per DoPT’s instructions and guidelines, successful completion of the level ‘E’ training programme is mandatory for promotion to the next higher post of Deputy Secretary in Government of India and the “overseas component” is included as an integral part of the said training.
The training module is conducted by the Institute of Secretariat Training and Management (ISTM). “For about 30 participating Under Secretaries working in the different Central Ministries and Departments , it is a zone of uncertainity as they are scheduled to leave for the overseas component on November 22 and nothing has yet been decided by the DoPT on their destination,” said a official likely to be part of the training delegation.
Another participating officer claimed the programme was finalised for a university in UK but the matter is being dragged so that a late decision would force the organiser for a nearby destination.
DoPT sources said that authorities are already in touch with Asian Institute of Technology in Bangkok for this purpose. last two batches of CSS had undergone this module of training in south-east Asian countries including Malaysia and Singapore.