Bihar Plans to Double Civil Services Posts

Bihar has put forward a proposal to the Cabinet for doubling the cadre strength of the Bihar Administrative Services (BAS), given an increasing workload for the bureaucracy. An empowered committee of the finance department has forwarded the proposal.

Currently, the sanctioned cadre strength in basic grade is 273, 176 posts in the deputy secretary or equivalent ranks, 159 in ADM or equivalent and 131 posts in the joint secretary rank. The others are 48 additional secretary equivalent, 24 special secretary and 40 training (probation) ranks. There is a possibility of creating 850 additional posts, thus the increasing total sanctioned cadre strength to 1701. Cabinet is yet to approve the proposal. However, the official machinery has denied moves to strengthen the BAS.

Bihar’s middle tier of bureaucracy is said to be short of officers in ranks from deputy secretary to additional secretary. The government had earlier mulled the option of increasing the strength of the civil services officers.

This is a welcome step by Bihar, as it will give chance to many aspirants opening avenues for officers. It will help shred some workload on the bureaucracy and system will work in a better manner. It is not yet fixed how many posts will be increased, however, once the panel clears the proposal, there will be a clear picture as to how many posts would be created.