GUWAHATI, Dec 28 � The extension of the tenure of Chief Secretary Naba Kumar Das for another six months has not gone down well with the bureaucratic fraternity of the State, who believe it to be a retrograde step under the prevailing circumstances.
Das was supposed to retire on December 31, 2012 but the Government�s decision to extend his service is being viewed as something unprecedented and more importantly, one with little valid ground. Das had earlier reportedly sought VRS on health ground and the Government was said to be considering it.
Circles acquainted with the developments have questioned the Government�s decision, saying that neither the Government nor the people of the State would derive any benefit from the move; rather the move would result in injustice to those qualified to serve as the next Chief Secretary. It would also raise questions whether there is dearth of eligible candidates for the job, and whether the incumbent Chief Secretary had any unfinished target.
Sources that did not wish to be named for obvious reasons are of the view that such extensions are warranted only during war or warlike emergency situations. If this is done in normal circumstances, it runs the risk of ultimately damaging the morale of whole civil service and creating uncalled-for bitterness among them.
Sources also sought to attribute the move as a political one that has adversely affected someone�s legitimate claims in civil service cadre seniority without valid reason. Such superfluous political decisions can send out the wrong signal to the entire bureaucracy to get involved in politics and get the benefits, sources added.
Sources said that a Government that is into its third successive term ought to have been guided by prudence and principles of justice while taking such decisions, as any amateurish assertion cannot just tarnish its image but also hit at the very core of the functioning of the bureaucracy.
