PANJIM: Goa government’s request for a separate cadre of the All India Services (AIS) made in 2014 is, three years later, still pending for the “consideration” of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The Ministry is likely to call for a meeting of the Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram and UTs (AGMUT) cadre after the monsoon session of Parliament for a discussion on this.
The State had made two representations in 2011, which were dismissed and in 2014 the then Manohar Parrikar led BJP government, made another.
“The decision was necessary because the Centre has been acting like ‘feudal lords’ by not taking the State into confidence while posting IAS and IPS officers,” Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had told media persons after the cabinet had resolved to opt out of AGMUT cadre in February 2014.
The cabinet had resolved to form a separate AIS cadre for Goa, including determining the strength and composition of the cadre, in consultation with the state government. Goa has been sourcing officers from AGMUT cadre even after it was bestowed Statehood in 1987. With 38 to 39 officers of the all-India cadre in service Goa has reasons to seek a separate cadre.
Highly placed sources confirmed that the proposal is still pending before the MHA for consideration as the Ministry has received similar proposals from other States like Arunachal Pradesh. “MHA is open to our proposal but it would like to discuss and decide only after having a joint cadre meeting,” sources said.
Sources said MHA is likely to call for a meeting on the issue after the monsoon session of Parliament, which will commence from next month.
During the previous government’s tenure, several ministers, including then Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza, had openly expressed unhappiness over posting of IAS officers, stating that “they come here for holidays”. His differences with former North Goa Collector Neela Mohanan were quite open.
The State had proffered five reasons for backing its demand for opting out of AGMUT cadre and setting up a cadre of its own. According to the proposal, the State had said that Goa had become a full-fledged state after its inclusion in AGMUT and that the State government was “hardly consulted” on transfer and posting of its officers.
Further, the State pointed out before MHA that the AIS officers in Goa know they are here for a short tenure and also know that Goa government has no control over their transfer, posting or on disciplinary matters.
