Inside The Secretariat: 50 GAS Officers Likely To Be Nominated For IAS Cadre Over Two Years

Longer Innings For State-To-IAS Officers

The Central government has recently promoted 18 officers from the Gujarat Administrative Service (GAS) cadre to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). With another 50 officers expected to be nominated over the next two years, the number of promoted IAS officers is steadily increasing in accordance with cadre rules. Following the latest promotions, the number of promoted IAS officers has risen from 55 to 73. Under the cadre structure in Gujarat, one-third of the sanctioned IAS strength is to be filled through promotions from the State Civil Service. Since nearly 50 promotee IAS officers are due to retire during this year and 2027, fresh nominations are certain. A significant change is that while earlier promoted officers generally received only three to five years of service as IAS officers, they are now expected to serve for six to seven years. It may be recalled that the Centre had promoted 25 officers over the past two years.

Industries Wing Set For New Look!

Another Secretariat office is joining the race for renovation. The Industries and Mines Department office, located on the third floor of Block No. 5, will undergo renovation, requiring its officers and staff to shift elsewhere temporarily. Earlier, when the Science and Technology Department was renovated, its office was relocated to ‘Karmayogi Bhavan’. It remains to be seen where the Industries Department will be shifted. This is the second major round of Secretariat office renovations undertaken by the state government in nearly two decades. The Energy and Petrochemicals Department office was recently renovated and given a corporate-style appearance. Similarly, the Chief Secretary's office also undergoes periodic upgrades. With diplomats and industry delegations from India and abroad frequently visiting the Secretariat, such modernization has become necessary.

From Fiscal Discipline To Energy Discipline

Government offices incur electricity bills worth crores of rupees, largely because air-conditioners, fans, and lights often remain on even when staff are absent. The government has now warned that just as financial discipline is observed, electricity consumption must also be controlled. According to the Energy Department's directive, air-conditioners in government offices cannot be operated below 24 degrees Celsius. Offices must also install systems that automatically switch off electrical equipment when officials are not present. The decision applies to all government departments, boards, corporations, and public buildings. Every department and office head has also been instructed to prepare an Office Energy Efficiency Action Plan and submit it to the Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA) within one and a half months.

Promoting Destination Weddings

Gujarat Tourism Secretary Dr. Kuldeep Arya and Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited (TCGL) Managing Director Dr. Vipin Garg are not only drafting a new Tourism Policy but are also preparing a strategy to promote destination weddings in the state, which will be incorporated into the policy. Rajasthan and Goa have emerged as India's most popular destination wedding locations. Gujarat too possesses historic monuments, an extensive coastline, and several other attractions, but has not been able to brand them effectively. The Tourism Department and TCGL have floated a tender to identify suitable destinations and undertake branding. The selected agencies will identify ideal wedding destinations, assess hotels, resorts, connectivity, event management, and other supporting infrastructure, and prepare a comprehensive strategy.

Out Of Sight Before Spotlight!

Whenever the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit was held, the administration's first effort was often to conceal slum settlements so that foreign delegates would not witness poverty. Now, ahead of upcoming international sporting events, the government has launched a campaign to identify and rehabilitate beggars. Within just three days, around 250 child beggars in Ahmedabad have reportedly been enrolled in schools. As Gujarat prepares to host the World Police & Fire Games and the Commonwealth Games, the campaign aims to ensure that international athletes do not encounter beggars on city roads. Earlier, the government had introduced mobile education vans to educate children begging at traffic signals, but the initiative received only a limited response. It now remains to be seen how successful the new effort proves to be.

The Secretariat's New Power Game!

A new trend is reportedly emerging in the Secretariat, where even Class-I and Class-II officers within certain departments are not complying with instructions issued by their own IAS department heads. Complaints from some departments have even reached the Chief Administrative Office. Normally, when an applicant submits a representation to the Chief Minister or a Cabinet Minister, it is forwarded to the concerned department head. However, when applicants directly approach the IAS officer, other officials in the department become aware of it. In several cases, departmental officers have bluntly told applicants, "Why did you go directly to the boss? Now get your work done through him." Several such complaints have reportedly also reached the Chief Minister's Office.

Wedding Bells, New Cadres

Young Gujarat cadre IAS officer Aditi Vaishnaya has married Rajasthan cadre IAS officer Madhav Bhardwaj and has secured a cadre transfer during her probation period. Under Rule 5 of the All India Services Rules and with the consent of both state governments, the Central Government approved her transfer to the Rajasthan cadre to enable the couple to serve together. Aditi had cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2022 in her very first attempt at the age of just 23 without formal coaching, securing the 57th rank. She hails from Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh. Around three months ago, another Gujarat cadre IAS officer of the 2022 batch, Pratima Dariya, had also secured a cadre change during her probation. Earlier, three other women IAS officers had similarly obtained cadre changes following marriage.

Policy on Paper, Delay on Ground…

The state government often makes new announcements, but their implementation is frequently delayed by years. The proposal to appoint a Police Commissioner for Gandhinagar was announced in the state Budget six years ago, yet there has been little progress. Another administrative decision announced recently aimed to simplify land revenue and property registration by appointing Inspectors of Land Records (ILRs) at the taluka level. In reality, due to shortages of staff and inadequate infrastructure, the new arrangement remains confined to files in several districts. In some districts, office space has not even been allocated. Moreover, officers transferred from district headquarters to the taluka level are struggling to function without supporting staff.