Chandigarh: While the tenure of senior officers in the UT administration is typically capped at three years, many officials lower down the hierarchy continue to occupy sensitive posts well beyond the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)-mandated limit. Several PCS, HCS and UT cadre officers have remained in such positions across different administrative levels for extended periods, raising concerns over adherence to vigilance norms.Alarmed by the situation, the chief secretary-cum-chief vigilance officer (CVO) recently directed all administrative secretaries and heads of depts to ensure that officials posted in sensitive positions are not retained for more than three years. The CVO has also sought details from all depts on officials who have continued in the same post beyond the prescribed tenure.Earlier, in Dec last year, the chief secretary had reiterated these directions in a high-level meeting of secretaries, directing all depts “to certify that officer rotations are being carried out in accordance with prescribed guidelines—three years for sensitive posts and five years for non-sensitive posts—and that disciplinary proceedings and suspension cases are reviewed and completed within the stipulated timelines. These certificates are to be approved by the concerned secretaries.”RK Garg, city-based social activist, who is taking up the issue with the administration, said, “Several key posts are being manned by the officials on deputation and from the UT cadre for several years without any rotation. Posts at director level, and public dealing continue to be manned by the same officials for more than three years. The administration also keeps mum on the posts declared as ‘sensitive’. There should be more transparency in the administration on such key policy implementation matters.“Vineet Gulati, a city resident who has taken up the issue with the administration under the Right to Information Act, said, “CVC rules exist to prevent exactly a situation where the officials occupy sensitive posts. The commission explicitly warns that overstay and continuous posting afford scope for indulging in corrupt activities and developing vested interests. In UT administration, though, there are instances where the same official is occupying a post for more than a decade.” Under Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) guidelines, a “sensitive post” is one where an official has frequent public dealing, handles regulatory functions, or exercises discretionary powers that could lead to corrupt practices if left unchecked. Such posts must be identified, and occupants rotated every two to three years to prevent “development of vested interests.”BOX: WHAT CVC MANDATES Central Vigilance Commission and the department of personnel and training have issued instructions for effecting rotational transfers of officials posted on sensitive posts. As per commission’s instructions issued vide letter Nos. 98/VGL/60 dated 15.04.1999, 02.11.2001 and 004/VGL/90 dated 01.05.2008 and 04.01.2012 (for public sector banks) on this issue, it was prescribed that ministries/depts/organisations and CVOs are to identify the sensitive posts and staff working in these posts and also ensure that they are strictly rotated after every two/three years to avoid developing vested interestsThe commission has observed that such overstay and continuous posting afford scope for indulging in corrupt activities, developing vested interests etc, which may not be in the interest of the organisationThe commission has emphasised that periodical rotation of officials holding sensitive posts/jobs needs to be ensured. As such, officials should not be retained in the same place/position for long by the ministries/depts/PSUs/banks/organisations etc
