Bifurcation of All India Services

• CS wants AIS officers to give options by May 16
• Some officers object to formula, want division in 58:42 ratio
• T staff to oppose if same ratio is adopted for State-level officers
• It will enable a huge strength of Seemandhra staff to stay back in T
• Bifurcation at a brisk pace; no political interference thanks to President’s Rule

Hyderabad: With barely three weeks to go for the Appointed Day of June 2, the process of bifurcation of the existing State into residuary State of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana has gained momentum. As distribution of All India Services officers between the two States is being applied in the ratio of 13:10, some of them are at a loss over the ‘unscientific basis’ for such a consideration.

The officials concerned over the 13:10 ratio have started pleading for application of the same 58:42 ratio which is being applied in the case of distribution of assets and liabilities. Representations are pouring in at the Department of Personnel and Training (DOPT), New Delhi, over the issue. The issue has certainly stirred a hornet’s nest.

Chief Secretary P K Mohanty, who returned from New Delhi after a meeting with Pratush Sinha panel on the bifurcation of AIS officers, joined Governor E S L Narasimhan during the day for a review of the bifurcation of different corporations and institutions. He wanted the AIS officers to give their options before May 16 choosing either of the state cadres. Taking a serious view of the omissions and commissions in the list of employees furnished by 156 government departments and agencies to the Kamalnathan Committee, which is dealing with staff bifurcation, he wanted the discrepancies to be rectified on a war-footing.

The Pratyush Sinha Committee has favoured giving options to the AIS officers also. The DOPT has already issued a notification, indicating the strength and composition of the AIS officers for the two successor states. It has sought comments and representations by May 11.