Team Herald
PANJIM: Henceforth, there will be no Cabinet approval required for recruitments in government departments as a collegiate system has been introduced for the same. Also, from now on, each department will be entitled to advertise required posts only once in a year.
In a bid to simplify the lengthy recruitment process, the State Cabinet on Wednesday granted its approval for the constitution of a four-member High Level Empowered Committee (HLEC) under Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, to consider proposals from departments for creation, revival and abolition of posts.
Herald was the first to report about this possible government decision in its edition on November 8.
“This is a major administrative reform. We have curtailed the departmental procedure for recruitments,” Parrikar told media persons, after the cabinet meeting.
“Instances have come to the notice of the government that the proposal regarding creation, revival and abolition of posts in various department has been delayed due to time consuming tedious procedures and passing of the file from too many authorities,” the cabinet note reads.
“This not only hampers the functioning of the government but also causes inordinate delay in filling up posts and providing essential services to the public at large,” it added.
The Cabinet also observed that huge manpower is being created, in the areas of activity which could be outsourced without placing a burden on the exchequer.
“In order to overcome this situation, it is proposed to put in place a special mechanism as a one-time measure, so that the staffing position in government departments improves,” the Chief Minister said.
The HLEC will consist of Chief Minister, Chief Secretary who is also Secretary Personnel, and Secretaries of Finance and ARD. The committee will have the powers to grant approval for creation, revival and abolition of posts, as well as deciding areas of outsourcing of various activities like housekeeping, security, etc.
In order to assist the HLEC, the Cabinet also approved the constitution of an Inter Departmental Committee of Officers (IDCO) comprising of Additional or Joint Secretaries of Personnel, Finance and ARD.
IDCO will scrutinise the proposals received from various departments for recruitments and work out the strength of the department based on their workload, core areas and submit its recommendation to HLEC for a final decision.
The Chief Minister said that the HLEC decision will be final and there will be no cabinet approval required. “However, only once in a year departments will be allowed to advertise the posts,” he said.
In the next fortnight the committee will be formed and by first week of December, at least two-three department posts will be cleared, he said.
