CSS cadre rejig runs into rough weather

The cadre restructuring for Central Secretariat Service CSS is beginning to unfold huge financial repercussions on the government as this decision could mean that over 1,400 fresh posts would be created if the cadre restructuring proceeds on the present norms. And this at a time when the government is actually talking about downsizing.

The Cabinet had taken a decision to restructure these cadres in September last year and had stated that the entire procedure would not have any financial implications. However, as ministries are now doing a reality check on the exercise, it is slowly emerging that the entire exercise would lead to a huge burden on the exchequer. The decision last year came just before the assembly elections in Delhi and had ramifications for the BJP-led government8217;s vote bank.

The issue is now pending before the Finance Ministry where the expenditure division is taking a close hard look at the proposals which have yet to be implemented.

The issue that the finance ministry has also raised is the fact that support staff required if these 1,400 additional posts are created would also mean additional financial implications. The ministry has now asked each ministry and government department to submit their own staff requirements only after which a final decision would be taken on the issue.

In the meantime the CSS associations have also approached the government to address existing anomalies in their cadre. They have sought centralising the cadre management, addressing their seniority issues and a promotion policy.