INDEED A reformative step – deadwood in the bureaucracy will be done away with as a notification issued by the central government has made it mandatory for all IAS, IPS and other all-India services to retire in ‘Public interest’ if they are found inept after a 15-year review of service. But the major question that comes to one’s mind is why wait for 15 years? Is it not possible to review service of a bureaucrat in a year’s time?

In the corporate world, performance is reviewed in less than 3 months but it seems the government departments, infamous for lazy and passive attitude, have received an endorsement from the policymakers – the job that can be done in less than a year would be completed in 15 years.

According to The Times of India, inefficient and non-performing officers shall be thrown out, not literally but they would be given an opportunity to retire in ‘public interest’ while those who are able to pass the filter will have to remain on their toes (though it seems an exaggeration as government officers are always found sitting back in their chairs) as they face another review after 25 years of service or on turning 50, whichever happens first.

The package is part of the administrative reforms induced by the anti-corruption Anna Hazare’s campaign and it is believed to ensure timely completion and delivery of services by the rotting bureaucracy. Though it seems very hard to digest but it is a commendable measure. One would demand that the time-period is decreased and if not one-year, two years should be enough to review the performance of the officers.

What about the charges of corruption? This reform is just related to performance but yearly investigations should be conducted so that these officers don’t break any laws or indulge in corrupt practices. This will at least instil a sense of responsibility among the callous officers who treat citizens just as people living at their mercy.