Bill to shield bureaucrats from political pressure

Bureaucrats are set to get a new deal with the Government planning to come out with a bill in the upcoming Budget session of Parliament that is expected to shield them from political pressure and frequent transfers.

The proposed Civil Services Bill moots fixed three-year tenure for all IAS and IPS officers. A new Central public Services Authority is contemplated to act as a watchdog against political interference.

"The Bill, which will put political interference in the functioning of the bureaucracy and frequent transfers on the whims and fancies of the political masters under parliamentary scrutiny, will be tabled in the forthcoming budget session," government sources said.

However, the bill may take some time before it becomes an Act as it will be referred to a Parliamentary Standing Committee and then put to vote in both Houses of Parliament.

All appointments, transfers and postings of these senior officers will be subject to parliamentary scrutiny.

Along with this, there will be a new public service code for monitoring the performance of the bureaucrats. A strict performance evaluation regime will be put in place for promotions and postings.

The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha (and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly in case of states) will have a say in the appointment of the Cabinet Secretary.