Like political bosses, bureaucrats too fall for plum posts

When it comes to rehabilitating themselves after retirement, top bureaucrats are outsmarting politicians in Uttarakhand.

Take the case of R S Tolia. Five years ago, Tolia took voluntary retirement from the post of chief secretary to become the first chief information commissioner (CIC) of the hill state, a post he then held for five years.

After Tolia, N S Napalchayal has now followed suit. The only difference is that Napalchayal was bestowed with the post of CIC only two months after taking voluntary retirement as the chief secretary.

Tolia may be the trendsetter, but Napalchayal is certainly not the only bureaucrat to grab a key post. To head the state public service commission, S K Dass also took voluntary retirement in a similar fashion. Indu Kumar Pande, too, was rewarded with the chairmanship of the state finance commission. They were all former chief secretaries.

Just a rank below the chief secretary, bureaucrats are rubbing shoulders with politicians when it comes to creamy posts in the state. “There are nearly five to six bureaucrats who are scrambling for the top posts in Uttarakhand,” said a government official.

After getting the desired posts, these retired officials get the facilities and emoluments of a ministerial-rank post. These include plush bungalows, cars and heavy perks; far better than those being given to politicians. “Yes, in a way, the total facilities being given to former bureaucrats are better than us,” said Manohar Kant Dhayani, vice-chairman of the state planning commission.