Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has alleged that the Prime Minister has “filled all key posts” with bureaucrats from Gujarat. In some cases, it was a “lateral entry” into the top positions.
“Gujarat is a small State, but Delhi is a big place and it has to deal with 29 States. If all the officials are brought from a small place, you will have all inefficient people,” he said. It has destroyed the governance system and left the entire administration demoralised, he added.
He was addressing a day-long Collectors’ conference held at Grievance Hall at Undavalli near here on Friday.
Mr. Naidu has been very critical of the Modi government for the last couple weeks, alleging that it has been destroying constitutional institutions/agencies such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the judiciary for political gain.
Expressing concern over the affairs in New Delhi, Mr. Naidu alleged, “A majority of Gujarat officers, who are in crucial positions at the Centre, are substandard. Appointments are not happening as per merit. As a result, all India-level bureaucracy has also become substandard. Previously, the best and talented officers used to be chosen, but that system has now been destroyed.”
He said there is disenchantment against Mr. Modi as he could not fulfil the promises made during elections, like doubling farmers’ income.
Though Mr. Modi was given absolute majority, he was unable to deliver.
Again referring to the virtual collapse of governance at Centre, he said the Confidential Reports (CRs) of the civil servants were being prepared by a committee of five retired officers, which calls up five officers, known to them and asks five questions. Based on the responses, the CRs of serving officers were being prepared, which was not a welcome move, he said.
‘Rewarding performers’
In comparison, the Andhra Pradesh government was putting in place a new evaluation system for ranking the performance of officers. Their performance would now go into the record. His or her achievements would be taken into account while preparing the CR even if the official was transferred from one department to other.
“Recognition is necessary for any individual. Performing officials should be rewarded,” he said.
