A minister who can do without his PA

After mulling over the concept, Diwan decided that work in the corridors of the Rajasthan Secretariat and various departments can be done without PAs. In a letter to all the departments, Diwan has now recommended that more than 50 per cent of PAs in the state bureaucracy should be removed and replaced by gleaming new computers.

Interestingly, much before Diwan, the Rajasthan bureaucracy had suggested a cut in manpower, saying that drivers should double up as peons and a typist should look after other general administrative work. The proposal, however, was rejected.

At present, as part of the general downsizing of the system, the Fifth Planning Commission’s recommendations are being followed in the state. But Diwan wants to speed up matters. For starters, he wants all officials below the rank of a department head to start doing their own work.

In his recommendations he has suggested that the government should remove PAs appointed to lower ranked officials and use the salary given to them to buy computers. ‘‘Two months’ salary will do it,’’ he argues in his letter, adding that the state exchequer will also benefit in the long run.

Diwan has further objected to ministers and secretaries having more than two PAs in their staff. At present, a minister is entitled to one personnel secretary, two PAs, two clerks and two class IV employees. The minister is also allowed to ensure that one of these employees is from his constituency. Similarly, a secretary is entitled to one personnel secretary, one senior PA, one clerk and two class IV employees.

In most offices, the number of staff exceeds the entitlement, with additional staff being drawn from the various departments. An employees representative questions: ‘‘They are talking about doing away with PAs for junior staff, but what about regulating the numbers in case of ministers and IAS officers. And instead of making do with the Secretariat staff, almost everyone brings in additional people from different departments.’’

At present, there are 200-odd stenographers, 118 PAs, 48 senior PAs and 48 private secretaries in the Rajasthan Secretariat. In all posts, there are also a number of vacancies.

Though most in the Rajasthan secretariat agree with Diwan, the more practical point out that with the state government trying to woo employees, minister’s suggestion will find few takers among his decision-making colleagues.