First among equals? IAS, other civil services spar over parity in pay, career prospects

A war of words is going on in social media between officers of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and those belonging to other central government services like IRS over the issue of pay parity and career progression. A group of around 200 IAS officers have written to Department of Personnel and Training, cadre controlling authority for their service, requesting it to stonewall any move that seeks to erode  the edge given to them over other services for various reasons. Many comments are pouring on social networking sites like Facebook and micro-blogging portal Twitter by various officers serving across the country on the issue.   [caption id=“attachment_2493356” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  UPSC logo. Image courtesy: upsc.gov.in[/caption] A WhatsApp message being circulated among IAS officers asked them to ‘burn some midnight oil and pour your heart out’, saying that young officers would stand to lose if they don’t take a stand, The Indian Express reported. Officers belonging to Indian Revenue Service (IRS), Railways and other central government services have sought pay parity and career benefits enjoyed by those in IAS, a move being objected to by those in the latter service. “There is a lot of frustration and resentment among the young officers. They have taken a conscious decision of joining IAS after viewing their career options. “Some of them have left very good private sector jobs abroad and joined the civil service. Most of them were selected in other services but they chose to sit in exam again to become an IAS officer. The merit of these boys should not be ignored,” said Sanjay Bhoosreddy, Secretary of central IAS officers’ association here. He said many IAS officers have written to the association over the matter. “We will take a considered view, whatever is best for the country and for the service, on these representations,” Bhoosreddy said. The bitter fight has been getting support from politicians also. “Apartheid in payscales of AllIndiaCivilServices must go,for all to feel inclusive #parity4allservices #IASNoUsainBolt,” tweeted Kiran Bedi, retired IPS officer and a BJP leader. Officers of IAS get empaneled to a joint secretary-level post in 11 years while those belonging to IRS and other services get it after putting in at least 13 years of service. The early empanelment gives an upper hand to IAS officer, in terms of higher pay and other pecuniary benefits, as compared to their batchmates of other services. The sparring among civil servants started after it was reportedly claimed that seventh Central Pay Commission (CPC) is considering bringing parity in all services, thereby ending supremacy of IAS officers over others. The Commission is yet to give its report to the government and there is no official confirmation on such move. The Commission, headed by former Supreme Court judge Ashok Kumar Mathur, may submit its report in the third week of November, Mint reported.

Apartheid in payscales of AllIndiaCivilServices mustgo,for allto feel inclusive #parity4allservices #IASNoUsainBolt https://t.co/DLI6nkOAcK

— Kiran Bedi (@thekiranbedi) November 2, 2015

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Everything has changed with time .now its time to change face of bureaucracy by removing disparities in civil services .#parity4allservices

— Pawan Kumar IRS (@Pawan_IRS2OO9) November 1, 2015

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With inputs from PTI