Telangana: Non-revenue officials upset over denial of promotions

Hyderabad: The appointment of joint collectors in the reorganised districts is likely to create new headaches for the state government.

With indications that revenue staff is likely to be elevated to the posts that are considered as the second highest administrative post in a district after the collector, Group-1 officials from non-revenue departments are seeing red.

Due to the shortage of bureaucrats, the government has to appoint non-IAS background officials as joint collectors of the new districts. It is learnt that special grade deputy collectors and deputy collectors from the revenue department will get the nod.

However, the Group-1 Officers Association is requesting the government to give a fair share to senior officials from non-revenue departments as is being done for conferred IAS posts.

“In conferred IAS posts, 85 per cent quota goes to Group-1 officers with a revenue background. Considering this, at least four to five joint collector posts should be given to seniors who are working as joint-directors, joint commissioners, joint registrars, and additional commissioners in other departments,” said Mr M. Chandrashekar Goud, president of Group-1 Officers Association.

He pointed out that administration in districts was not only about land issues, but was centred on development and welfare activities, which seniors from non-revenue backgrounds could handle efficiently.

“Telangana Administrative Service (TAS) is the only solution that would do justice to all Group-1 officers and we are hopeful of the government implementing it in the coming months,” said Mr Goud.