Officers' body welcomes fixed tenure rule for bureaucrats

Over 4,700-member strong IAS officers' association today welcomed the government's order for providing two-year fixed tenure for bureaucrats, saying it will help in ensuring good governance.
"We welcome this. It is a good first step towards good governance," Indian Administrative Service officers' association secretary Sanjay R Bhoos Reddy told PTI.
However, the government must ensure its compliance in letter and spirit, he said.
"It needs to be seen how this order is implemented. We would like to see how honestly in intent and spirit it is followed."
Officers of the three All India Services -- IAS, IPS and IFoS -- will now have a fixed tenure of two years in each posting, according to new rules aimed at checking political interference.

States have been mandated to constitute a Civil Services Board, which is to be headed by the chief secretary, for transfer and postings of these officials, according to the rules notified by the Ministry of Personnel.

IAS, IPS and IFoS officers associations have been demanding fixed tenure for their members to safeguard them from political interference through arbitrary transfers and suspensions.
Associations of Indian Forest Service (IFoS) also appreciated the government's move.
"We welcome this order. It will surely help in good governance," IFoS officers association's President A R Chadha said.
Indian Police Service officers association could not be reached for comments.

The total strength of IAS is 6,217 (4,313 through direct recruitment and 1,904 through promotion). Of these, 4,737 officers are in position (3,398 direct recruitment and 1,339 via promotion).
As many as 3,637 IPS officers and 2,700 IFoS personnel are at present serving across the country.