4.9. Stability of Tenure

There is a genuine problem being faced by officers, especially in the case of All India Services serving in the state governments, relating to their tenures.

♤ There is usually a reshuffling of officers with change in government and in certain states the average tenure of DM and SP has now come to less than a year only. Such a rapid turnover of officers adversely affects delivery and quality of services provided to the common man.

♤ The ever present threat of transfer also affects the morale of the officers and their capacity to stand up to undesirable local pressures.

♤ In the long run, frequent transfer of officers of the All India Services in the states delays implementation of projects and also prevents officers from picking-up meaningful experience which would enhance their value to the state government and the Central government when they hold higher positions at the policy making levels.

In this context Hota committee on civil services reform suggested the following:

♤ A fixed tenure of at least three years for an officer of the higher civil service along with annual performance targets.

♤ A Civil Services Act has to be enacted to make the Civil Services Board / Establishment Board both in the states and in the Government of India statutory in character.

♤ If a Chief Minister does not agree with the recommendations of the Civil Services Board/ Establishment Board, he will have to record his reasons in writing.

♤ An officer transferred before his normal tenure even under orders of the Chief Minister can present the matter before a three-member Ombudsman.

♤ In all such premature transfers the Ombudsman shall send a report to the Governor of the state, who shall cause it to be laid in an Annual Report before the State Legislature.