Centre mulling proposal to fix tenures: Pachouri

Bhopal, Aug 27 (UNI) Union Minister of State for Personnel Suresh Pachouri today said that the Centre would ''profoundly contemplate'' prior to taking a decision on a proposal mooting fixed tenures for officials occupying key posts.

''The Administrative Reforms Commission report is about to be submitted. Several state governments' suggestions have been obtained after the Centre's demand and it is hoped that the remaining would do likewise soon. If necessary, a committee will be formed to study the suggestions,'' he told journalists here.

A conference of chief secretaries and collectors and another of directors-general of police and superintendents suggeted that tenures ought to be fixed so that responsibilites were fulfilled in better fashion. Even Prime Minister Manmohan Singh gave positive indications in this regard but a final decision would be taken after deliberation with state governments, the Minister added.

''It will be proper to have a provision for removing such officials before expiry of their tenures only under exceptional circumstances,'' Mr Pachouri added.

UNI