Decoded: Modi Govt's plan to deal with corrupt, incompetent bureaucrats

New Delhi, Sept 17: Modi Government is planning to rein in bureaucrats having tainted records. The Centre is also contemplating to review the performances of 'sarkari babus' on every three months and if found incompetent they could be given premature retirement.

Reportedly, recently Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) issued an order according to which performance of those government officers who have either completed 30 years in service or crossed 50 years of age, whichever comes earlier, will be reviewed.

It is being said that if bureaucrats will be found incompetent or their "integrity and reputation" will be under the dock, they could be given a three-month notice to retire. Prime Minister directly heads the DoPT.

What is the plan?

Giving hint that tough action will be taken in this regards, all ministries have been issued a four-page long guidelines by the DoPT headed by the Prime Minister.

Quoting Supreme Court's directives over the matter, DoPT in its order said, "The officer would live by reputation built around him. In an appropriate case, there may not be sufficient evidence to take punitive disciplinary action of removal from service. But his conduct and reputation is such that his continuance would be a menace to public service and injurious to public interest".

Giving out tough message to Government officers whose probity is under the lens, the DoPT further said, "For better administration, it is necessary to chop off dead wood".

How the performance will be reviewed

Reportedly, Cabinet secretary PK Sinha had chaired a meeting with with senior officers of different ministries. In the meeting, he had discussed how to make this 'screening process' easy and transparent.

Review will be done on the basis of their overall performances of their career. Group A officers will be first reviewed by Department secretary and that will be cross checked by the vigilance officer of the department.

Similar decision in 2014 too

This is not the first time when NDA Government has tried to give tough message to Bureaucrats. Last year also Government had sighted similar rules to ensure transparency in various departments. In August 2014, Government had added 19-point guideline to All India Service (conduct) Rules, 1968. According to that guidelines, the Government officers have to maintain 'political neutrality' and 'take decisions solely in public interest'.

OneIndia News