New Delhi: The Central Secretariat Service (CSS) Forum has appreciated the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) for completing 60 Cadre Reviews of Central Group ‘A’ Services, while raising concerns over the prolonged delay in the CSS Cadre Review, which has remained pending for more than eight years.
The forum said CSS officers across ministries and departments have played an important role in supporting administrative reforms and facilitating cadre reviews of other services. However, their own cadre review continues to await completion.
The CSS Forum termed the situation a classic case of “चिराग तले अंधेरा”, questioning why a cadre that contributes to implementing reforms across the government has itself remained outside the reform process.
CSS Forum Appreciates DoPT’s Cadre Review Achievements
The CSS Forum acknowledged DoPT’s efforts to strengthen the cadre review framework and improve cadre management.
According to the forum, DoPT has:
- Completed 60 Cadre Reviews of Central Group ‘A’ Services.
- Completed 117 Cadre Reviews of All India Services.
- Strengthened the Cadre Review framework since 2014.
- Institutionalised a Cadre Review Calendar.
- Undertaken consultations with Cadre Controlling Authorities across the government.
The forum said these achievements reflect DoPT’s commitment to administrative reforms and effective cadre management.
Forum Questions Delay in CSS Cadre Review
While appreciating DoPT’s achievements, the CSS Forum pointed out that the Central Secretariat Service itself has been awaiting its cadre review for over eight years.
The forum particularly questioned the fact that the Cadre Controlling Authority for CSS, the CS Division, is located within DoPT itself.
It said that while DoPT has highlighted consultations with Cadre Controlling Authorities across the government, the prolonged delay in reviewing CSS makes the situation difficult to understand.
The forum argued that CSS officers have consistently supported cadre reviews and other administrative reforms across ministries and departments, even as the review of their own cadre remains pending.
4th CSS Cadre Review Committee Constituted in October 2022
The CSS Forum highlighted the timeline of the 4th Cadre Review Committee (CRC) and said the review was already delayed by four years when the committee was constituted in October 2022.
The timeline highlighted by the forum is:
- October 2022: 4th Cadre Review Committee constituted.
- November 2022 to first half of 2023: Demands sought by the 4th CRC.
- First half of 2023: Demands received by the committee.
- Since then: Report of the 4th CRC remains pending.
- Overall CSS Cadre Review delay: More than eight years.
The forum said the present delay in the 4th CRC report has further prolonged the overall wait for the CSS cadre review.
CSS Officers’ Contribution to Administrative Reforms Highlighted
The CSS Forum said the completion of cadre reviews across government could not have been achieved without the contribution of Central Secretariat officers working across ministries and departments.
According to the forum, CSS officers have been involved in supporting and facilitating:
- Cadre reviews of other Central Group ‘A’ Services.
- Administrative reforms across ministries and departments.
- Policy coordination and governance-related work.
- Implementation of various government initiatives and reforms.
The forum described the CSS as the backbone of the Central Secretariat, providing institutional support for policymaking, coordination and governance.
Manpower Shortage Could Affect Government Efficiency
The forum also raised concerns about the potential impact of the prolonged delay on the functioning of ministries and departments.
Information obtained by the CSS Forum through the RTI mechanism indicated that manpower requirements projected by only a limited number of ministries and departments amounted to approximately 3,000 posts.
The forum said the actual requirement across the government is likely to be substantially higher.
It argued that continuing to function with reduced manpower, despite requirements having been formally projected years ago, could:
- Increase pressure on the existing workforce.
- Affect the efficiency of ministries and departments.
- Reduce administrative capacity.
- Impact the effectiveness of government functioning.
The forum also questioned whether accountability would be fixed for the prolonged delay in completing the cadre management exercise.
CSS Forum Invokes “Chirag Tale Andhera”
The CSS Forum referred to remarks repeatedly emphasised by the Minister of State that employees should receive “a little more than what is due to them.”
Against this backdrop, the forum said it was particularly concerning that CSS officers, despite their contribution to government functioning and administrative reforms, continue to await what they consider legitimately due to their cadre.
The forum summed up the situation with the Hindi idiom “चिराग तले अंधेरा”, suggesting that reforms are being advanced across government while the cadre responsible for supporting those reforms continues to await its own review.
Forum Seeks Timely Completion of CSS Cadre Review
The CSS Forum expressed hope that the momentum and institutional resolve demonstrated by DoPT in advancing cadre reviews would also be extended to the CSS Cadre Review.
The forum said a timely review would not merely resolve a long-pending issue concerning CSS officers but could also strengthen the capacity and effectiveness of the Central Secretariat.
It further emphasised that reforms would be most meaningful when they cover every cadre that contributes to making governance work.
The forum concluded its representation with a message highlighting the contrast between facilitating the rights and reforms of others and continuing to wait for one’s own legitimate rights.
