The Punjab government has recently come under the spotlight for establishing a three-member Civil Services Board (CSB) to oversee the transfers and job postings of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers in the state.
Overview of the Civil Services Board
The CSB is led by the Chief Secretary of a state and additionally includes the senior most Additional Chief Secretary or Chairman, Board of Revenue, Financial Commissioner or an officer of equivalent rank and status. The board plays a crucial role in ensuring the adherence to the Centre’s guidelines, which mandate a minimum tenure of two years for cadre officers. In cases where an officer’s transfer is recommended prior to the completion of tenure, the board is responsible for examination and execution. However, the final decision-making power rests with the Chief Minister.
Benefits of Fixed Tenure for Officers
A fixed tenure for officials can lead to enhanced administration performance. This security allows them to focus on fulfilling their duties as per the rules, rather than succumbing to the pressure of pleasing political leaders. A period of 3-6 months is generally required for an official to adapt to their new posting. Therefore, if officers are allowed to serve for at least two years, it promotes better service delivery, creating a stable tenure for the public.
Potential Issues Associated with Fixed Tenure
However, a fixed tenure system for bureaucrats also presents its own set of challenges. Officials may overstep the authority and jurisdiction of the state government, potentially making them less answerable and accountable to legislators. Moreover, political executives may perceive this rule as diminishing their influence, since the power to examine a transfer recommendation resides with the CSB. Meanwhile, bureaucrats might find it necessary to resort to courts for the enforcement of guidelines accurately and effectively, as seen in Haryana where despite having a CSB in place, the guidelines are not adequately followed.
The History of CSB in Punjab
The recent announcement by the Punjab government is in line with a 2014 order issued by the Central government which was aimed at enhancing stability of tenure and minimizing political interference. Thus, Punjab has become the 20th state to adopt the CSB system. In October 2013, the Supreme Court had also mandated a minimum tenure for bureaucrats to shield the bureaucracy from political meddling, and to curb frequent and arbitrary transfers. The negative impact of such uncontrolled transfers on administrative standards has been highlighted by IAS officers like Ashok Khemka, Durga Sakthi Nagpal, and Kuldip Narayan.
Recommendations for Future Improvement
In order for good governance to thrive, it is essential to foster a healthy working relationship between Ministers, MPs, MLAs, and civil servants. Hence, the state needs to involve every stakeholder in governance. Furthermore, each state can learn from the implementation gaps in other states with regard to the fixed tenure rule. This iterative process of learning and improving policies can only help strengthen the administration in the long run.