Sukhu aims to cut IAS, IPS & IFS posts, save Rs 200cr | Chandigarh News
Shimla: Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday said the state govt can save up to Rs 200 crore a year by trimming the sanctioned strength of IAS, IPS and IFS officers.Sukhu said his govt would soon approach the Centre to reduce the sanctioned strength of IAS officers from 153 to 130 and IFS officers from 118 to 83. IPS posts too will be reduced from the existing 96, he told the mediapersons.The CM said he personally favoured bringing down the IAS strength to 100-110, but agreed to retain 130 posts following resentment among IAS officers. The savings from reduction of all-India service posts would be used for the welfare and betterment of people in the state, he said.Sukhu had earlier spoken of making the bureaucracy leaner but this is the first time he came out with numbers.Himachal Pradesh needs officers who can effectively implement govt schemes, Sukhu said, adding that several officers do not have sufficient work, which also affects their ability to utilise their talent. Govt readily approves deputation proposals of IAS and IPS officers to the Centre, unlike the previous govt, he said.However, some bureaucrats have disputed govt’s position, pointing out that officers close to the current dispensation have been assigned five to six key departments, while equally capable officers have only one or two. All India Services officers also said such preference for state-cadre officers is seen in several states.The cash-strapped Himachal govt has been trying out desperate measures, including a deferment of part of the salaries of ministers and govt officials, which it rolled back after a few months following protests. Sukhu, however, has continued with temporary deferment of 50% of his salary.
