Modi's Minimum Government? Hiring plans tells another story

Staff count is set to rise to 35.23 lakh by March 1, 2017 from 33.05 lakh in March 1, 2015, The Times of India reports

In a move that marks the Centre’s shift from ‘Minimum Government, Maximum Governance’, nearly 2.2 lakh central government employees are set to be added over two years from March 1, 2015, The Times of India reported on Monday, citing budget estimates for 2016-17. This is despite Centre’s announcements time to time to have a freeze on fresh recruitments. 

The staff count is set to increase to 35.23 lakh by March 1, 2017 against 33.05 lakh employees in March 1, 2015.

Hiring activity has seen a significant increase due to major staff crunch in Group B and C categories, which have seen recruitment freeze for many years. As a result, vacancies have piled up and more than six lakh posts are unoccupied, personnel ministry told the newspaper.  However, financial allocation for salaries for the revenue department has not shown any major difference as it has not recruited personnel due to slow progress in cadre restructuring exercise, the report added. 

Read more from our special coverage on "NARENDRA MODI"

• PM Modi to inaugurate Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Hospital on Tuesday
• India poised for big splash in maritime sector: PM Modi
• PM Modi pitches for Rs 1 lakh crore investment to develop ports
• Modi hosts lunch for Prince William, Kate
• Maldives security, stability in Indias interest: Narendra Modi

The revenue department, comprising income tax and customs and excise staff, is set to see a whopping 70,000 increase in hiring. This is followed by central paramilitary forces, projected to rise by 47,000. The home ministry has seen a spurt of 6,000 in hiring. 

Meanwhile, the cabinet secretariat, will add only 301 employees to take the number to 1,201 by March 1, 2017. The Information & Broadcast (I&B) Ministry added 2,200 personnel in the last two years.  

The personnel ministry, the department that manages the government staff, added 1,800 in its workforce. Along with this, the urban development ministry infused 6,000, mines ministry 4,399 and the department of space added 1,000 people. 

However, a few departments have been downsized as well. Rural development, an area which the Budget largely focused on, has seen a reduction to 472 in 2016-17 from 538 in 2015.