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| Outstanding performers of 2016 batch IAS probationers at LBSNAA |
INDIAN Administrative Service (IAS) has come a long way since it reincarnated itself from its earlier "Avatar" of British "Indian Civil Services”, said union minister of state for personnel and PMO Jitendra Singh on Friday in Mussoorie while felicitating probationers for outstanding performance in different categories at the felicitation-cum-valedictory function of 2016 batch IAS probationers. The function was held at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie. The minister said, the district head is now the “district development commissioner” and not “collector”, as was…
known during the British time when the district head was expected to raise revenue for the Empire. In his address, minister Singh said that expectations from a civil servant have multiplied manifold, and there is also a very high degree of accountability and close public and media scrutiny.
The minister then elaborated how in the last two or three years, a series of decisions were taken by the government to make the service conditions more conducive and to make the working environment more “friendly and compatible”, highlighting streamlining of transfer policy for bureaucrats, fixing time-limit for completion of proceedings in allegations against an officer and provisions of seeking permission before prosecuting any officer etc.
He also highlighted the introduction of the new designation of assistant secretary so that the new outgoing IAS probationers can spend three months of mentorship in various Central government ministries before leaving for their respective state cadres to take up their assignment in the state. The minister cited the example of Prime Minister’s “Excellence Awards” presented on Civil Services Day on April 21 this year, when a record number of entries were received and as many as 599 districts of the country participated through their respective deputy commissioners and district administration.
Among those present on the occasion were LBSNAA director Ms Upma Chowdary, course coordinator Ms C Sridhar, associate course coordinator MH Khan, faculty members and trainee officers of 2016 batch IAS who had completed the phase-1 of professional course at the academy.
In fact, after completing their 16-weeks foundation course training, the 2016 batch IAS probationers had started their phase-1 professional course from December 13, 2016 and were now being relieved from the academy for district training in their allocated cadre. After completion of 54-week state and district training, the same set of officer trainees will once again return to the academy for an 8-week course in phase-2, as is explained in a press statement issued by the personnel ministry.
This change of designation is cosmetic and does not affect the functions being performed by head of the district. The designation varies from state to state. In some states, like Punjab, Haryana, HP the recognised designation is Deputy Commissioner, in some like UP and MP it is District Magistrate while in most other states it is Collector. But all over the country his duties/functions are the same and they include Development.People are conversant with the present designation and will find it hard to adjust to the new one just as in Delhi people still call Rajiv Chowk as CP.
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