Day 68 – Q 4. There is high attrition rate of civil servants from the services. What can be the possible reasons for this? What steps can be taken by the government to retain good officers in the service?
4. There is high attrition rate of civil servants from the services. What can be the possible reasons for this? What steps can be taken by the government to retain good officers in the service?
Introduction
Civil Services as part of permanent executive keeps the wheels of governance smoothly rolling. Recent episode of resignation of Shah Faesal from IAS brought to light the discussion regarding the high attrition rate of civil servants from the services.
Body
Reasons for high rate of attrition:
- Undue political interference which hampers the working of civil servants.
- Politicization of personnel management.
- Work-life balance is often disturbed. A civil servant is 24×7 on duty.
- Corruption also leads to honest civil servants resigning from services.
- Better payroll in private sector when compared to public services.
- Uncertainty with regard to transfers, promotions, suspensions etc.
- Ministers tendency to blame civil servants for policy failures.
Steps that can be taken to retain good officers:
- Institutionalising the process of transfer, promotions and appointments through constitution of Civil Services Board.
- Insistence on written orders as suggested by Hota committee.
- Proper grievance redressal mechanism.
- Implementation of prior sanction guideline of Supreme Court for investigating civil servants.
- Regular training and up gradation of expertise of civil servants to keep them motivated.
- Implementing the guidelines given by Supreme Court in TSR Subramanian case, 2013.
- Ensure stability of tenure.
- Avoid verbal orders, insist on written orders.
- Enact a civil services law.
Conclusion
Civil servants constitute the steel frame of India on whose shoulders rest the governance of such a diverse country as India. Therefore, for efficient and effective administration in the country civil services should be equipped with the best of officers and continues efforts should be made to keep them motivated for public services.
Best answer: SID
