Shortage of Assam Civil Service officials hits State administration

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: An acute shortage of Assam Civil Service (ACS) officials has severely hit the functioning of State administration. Personnel Department sources said that of the 1,100 sanctioned posts, 347 are vacant. This shortage has increased after 2018.

As in November 2020, only 753 ACS officers are shouldering responsibilities at various levels.

Meanwhile, the Department is waiting for the results of Combined Competitive Examinations (CCE)-2018. Sources added that 138 new ACS officers will be inducted after the results of CCE-2018 are announced by the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC). However, they will be assuming office only after two to three months. This is due to the various formalities including police verification.

Sources further informed that if the APSC announces the CCE-2018 results within December 2020, these recruits will be able to join service before the Assembly elections slated in April 2021. Mentionably, the recruitment process would get further delayed once the 'Model Code of Conduct' for the polls comes into force in the first week of March 2021. However the fact remains that to smoothly conduct any election process, there is a need of adequate Civil Service officials at the grassroots level.

Meanwhile to deal with the present manpower shortage, the State government has given more responsibilities to the officials of the Assam Land & Revenue Service (ALRS) under the Revenue & Disaster Management Department.

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