New high powered programme for civil servants launched

Department of Personnel and Training has launched Mission Karmyogi with an integrated online platform. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi as head of the HR Council, the mission will make substantial impact on things like training but does not aim to bring about drastic reforms in the civil services. Almost all former British colonies, including India, follow the British system of permanent seniority-driven civil service. Reforms have been tried by appointing commissions headed by politicians and serviced and influenced by IAS officers resulting in nothing. As a contrast, the British Government has now given the task of proposing reforms to McKinsey, a private international consultancy firm at a fee of Rs. Seven crores. As the second jolt to the system, 41 year old Dr Simon Case has been selected to be the Cabinet Secretary, the present Cabinet Secretary having agreed to retire with an extra compensation of Rupees Two crores. Currently, in the seniority list of Secretaries, Sir Simon is second from bottom. The aim is to create “innovative digitally powered service” with senior civil servants qualified to use “data based on research and testing in policy making”.