Merit, not lobbying will decide an official’s posting: Arvind Kejriwal

“The last time we formed a government, we found that government officials were very good, the people were good, but the administration was not. Some officials were not getting good opportunities to work,” Kejriwal said.

“We will set one target for the department. To achieve this, the officials will have to make a plan and submit it to the government. Whoever comes up with the best plan will be given the charge of the department and there will be a periodical review of their work,” he said.

When transfers are due, various recommendations come to the government, the chief minister said. But appointments will now be on “efficiency”, he said.

Sisodia said officials interested in working for a department will have to create a road map for the development of that department.

“The expertise and experience of officials is taken into account while giving them postings. But it was never done in an institutionalised manner. If an official competes for a posting and earns it, he/she can work without fear or favour,” a bureaucrat said.

“The idea is commendable but even if it is made merit-based, it is not enough to ensure that all those who do good work will get good opportunities. In some departments, targets are easily achieved, but in others they are more challenging. Eighty per cent of officials are efficient. The government should be able to identify this,” another senior bureaucrat said.