I
t may not sound like a revolutionary step towards good governance. But a recent government notification that seeks to ensure a minimum tenure at every posting for all officers of the Indian Administrative Service, the Indian Police Service and the Indian Forest Service is being avidly discussed in official circles. Ask any civil servant—particularly from Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and now Madhya Pradesh—and the response is that stability of tenure will guarantee greater accountability, a more efficient delivery of services and, therefore, good governance.
As a secretary in the central government put it, "Not only will stability insulate officers from political interference, it will also help them plan their work, which will automatically result in a better delivery of services. After all, it takes about six months to settle down in a job. It's only in the second year that you begin to work at your optimum level. If you are posted out within a few months, what can you achieve?"
The August 24 notification has been sent to state governments for comments because, without their cooperation, this will be a non-starter. A minimum tenure of three years—or, in some cases, two years—has been suggested for all listed cadre posts. The Union ministry of personnel, public grievances and pensions—the nodal ministry—has suggested that: