Hectic lobbying on for conferred IAS

FOR THE 18 available slots, the government late on Wednesday night shortlisted the names of 10 special grade deputy collectors and sent to the Centre for approval.

Hectic lobbying is on among senior Group-I officers in revenue and nonrevenue departments to secure “conferred IAS” status.

Employees’ associations are opposed to conferring of IAS status on the AP-origin officials.

No conferred IAS status has been given to officials for the past five years because of political uncertainty during the statehood agitation.

Telangana state can thus recommend conferred IAS status for 18 officials this time.

The Central government’s Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) will scrutinise the names sent by the state government for promotion as conferred IAS officers on December 29. The state government has not finalised the list of candidates.

For the 18 available slots, the government late on Wednesday night shortlisted the names of 10 special grade deputy collectors and sent to the Centre for approval.

According to sources in the general administration department (GAD), the shortlisted Group-I revenue officials are: Korra Lakshmi, Chittem Lakshmi, K. Dharma Reddy, T. Vinay Krishna Reddy, Ch. Shivalingaiah, V. Venkateshwarlu, M. Hanumatha Rao, D. Amoy Kumar, K. Hymavathi and N. Haritha.

Eight more names have to be shortlisted, probably by Thursday, just a day ahead of the DoPT meeting.

Conferred IAS status is extended to Group-I officers in the revenue department based on their seniority. Non-revenue Group-I officers will be considered in case there are no adequate revenue officers. Their pay and perks will be similar to IAS officers.

There is also a tussle going on between Group-I officials of revenue and non-revenue departments for getting the appointment. Of the 18 conferred IAS posts TS will get, 16 pertain to revenue services and two to non-revenue services.

Non-revenue officials have objected, saying that they have all the required skills, experience and seniority to be eligible for conferred IAS status like the revenue officials, but they are being discriminated against.

The GAD has brought these controversies to the notice of Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao.

The chances of the government shortlisting two non-revenue service officials for conferred IAS status before the DoPT meeting on December 29 look remote as there is a tough competition from 20 officials.