Appointment of bureaucrats after retirement fuels resentment in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Amidst unemployment and educated youths seeking jobs for their livelihoods in Odisha, the appointment of bureaucrats by the government in the past few years in various departments even after their retirement is fuelling resentment among present employees.

While the youths are counting stars with a hope to see change in the systems and number of openings and recruitments in the government sectors, the appointment of officials after their retirement is likely to increase the number of unemployment in the state.

If the administrative system is to be analysed closely, the naked picture of sycophancy and changing scenario could be clearly seen in the State Secretariat.

Earlier, the top officials including chief secretary, DGP and secretaries of different departments were being rehabilitated in other constitutional bodies. After the government faced wrath, the procedure to pour favour on the retired officers has been changed.

Currently, almost all the officers in all the departments are being appointed as the OSD with high package, government accommodation and other facilities after retirement. They are being appointed for a year and later their jobs are being extended. The government is providing all sorts of facilities to them to enjoy the power and post till indefinite period.

The secret behind such appointment is yet to be revealed.

Meanwhile, the government is planning to increase the cadre numbers in state administrative services and state economics service.

According to reports, the number of OAS cadres will rise to 1,711 from 1,558 and the government will create 13 special secretary posts, 43 additional secretary posts and 67 joint secretary posts. Similarly, posts will be created in OES cadre.

Recently, three officials in the rank of additional secretary have been appointed in the department of Science and Technology. Out of three, one official is yet to be given any assignment so far. We wonder the justification behind such appointment in the department, said a senior official.

Due to the government’s such move in appointing the retired top officials, the resentment among the employees is growing. Six months ago, there were around 300 employees including OSDs in the state secretariat. Now, the number of OSDs has been increased to over 100, said Odisha Secretariat Service Association’s president Krushna Mohapatra.

The employees will oppose the latest trend of appointment in the secretariat, he added.