2013, 2014 batches IAS to serve as assistant secretaries at Centre for 3 months beginning August

A section of officer trainees with President of India (File photo)

FOR three months, between August and October this year, about 200 IAS officers of 2013 and 2014 batches will be posted in Central government ministries and departments, mainly to give them a first-hand experience of the functioning in the Central government before they begin their administrative career in the states. This is the second year in a row when young IAS officers will work at the Centre on central deputation and not directly move to their states from LBSNAA —the Mussoorie-based IAS academy where the officers are being trained. “The officers of the 2014 batch on expiry of the phase-II training in LBSNAA on 29.07.2016 will be placed at...

the disposal of Central government. The officers of 2013 batch who will be appointed this year, will be placed at the disposal of the Central government with effect from 01.08.2016,” said an office memorandum dated June 15, 2016. The officers during that period will be designated as assistant secretaries and will draw a salary in pay band 3 (i.e. Rs 15,600 to Rs 39,100) with a grade pay of Rs 5,400. They will get no extra joining time. In other words, they will be relieved by LBSNAA on July 29, and they will just get the weekend (July 30 and 31) as transit time to reach Delhi, so that they join on the next Monday. “…they will be allowed only transit time during the weekends on 30.07.2016 and 31.07.2016”. The government will, however, pay for their transit. And once the Centre relieves the officers, they will get some joining time, the duration of which will be decided by their respective cadres. “Though the appointment of these officers in Central secretariat is for a period of three months, it has not been treated as temporary transfer. Their appointment has been treated as Central deputation”, the office memorandum added. In that case, they will get one-time composite transfer grant (a month’s basic salary) in relaxation to Rule 114 of the Supplementary Rules.

These assistant secretaries will report to joint secretary (administration) in DoPT. 

The officers will get usual medical facilities, travel entitlements and accommodation being provided by the ministry of urban development. 

The officers are however requested not to take any leave, considering the short period of their appointment.