BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh is facing a significant shortage of civil servants — IAS, IPS, and IFS officers — affecting governance and law enforcement. The state is short of 66 IAS, 48 IPS, and 81 IFS officers against the authorised strength.
The shortfall in number of civil officers came to light from the difference in total authorised strength and the number of officers in position in Madhya Pradesh. The information was tabled by the Centre in Rajya Sabha on Dec 12.
As of January 1, 2024, the sanctioned strength of IAS officers in MP is 459, but, only 393 are currently in position. Similarly, of the total strength of 319 IPS officers in the state, only 271 are serving. Also, the total authorised strength of IFS officers in MP is 296, while 215 are in position. Among the three civil posts, the shortage of IFS is the most, followed by IAS and IPS.
The authorised strength of the top administrative posts is decided by the Centre, but the state govt has a say in it. The state govt can demand the number of IAS, IPS, or IFS officers it feels are needed, while the Centre makes the final decision.
Shortage of IAS, IPS, and IFS is more pronounced in direct recruits compared to promotion posts. The details of vacancies in direct recruitment posts and promotion posts indicate that vacancies are more prevalent in direct recruits compared to promotion posts. Of the total 66 vacancies for IAS officers, 56 are for direct recruits and 10 for promotion posts. Also 43 vacancies of IPS officers are due to direct recruitment posts, while the vacancies due to promotion posts are five. In IFS, 56 vacancies were under the direct recruit head, while 25 vacancies were due to promotion posts.
The department of personnel and training stated in Rajya Sabha that the backlog in filling promotion quota vacancies is due to the non-submission of necessary proposals by the state govt, resulting in the non-holding of selection committee meetings by UPSC, or the non-availability of eligible state civil service officers.
The top administrative officers in MP point out that the shortage is due to two reasons — the number of officers in position is less than the total authorised strength and officers going on govt of India deputation. No fewer than 40 IAS officers from MP were on GoI deputation.
This results in the govt giving charge of multiple departments to one officer, leading to reduced focus and leaving the possibility of ignorance and irregularity at the ground level, officials added.
