Naresh Kumar Vaid, Director , Vaids ICS

UPSC has recommended an overhaul for promotion to All India Services, namely IAS, IPS & IFoS. Presently, these promotions are made on the recommendations of state governments based on their Annual Confidential Reports (ATR). But now UPSC has recommende that just like the fresh entrants to these services, aspirants for promotion to these services will have to go through a three tier competition including a written test and interview. Realising the fact that states recommend only those PCS for promotion who have toed the state government's line, it must be a welcome step.

Liberhan panel had recommended a radical revamp of recruitment to civil services. "Civil servants posted at the helm of affairs ought to be picked up for the skills required to exercise rather than for completely unrelated academic skills or for casteist and regional basis". It simply means that merit should be the only consideration. According to ATR "the recommendations will be communicated to UPSC. The Action Taken Report (ATR) of the government has promised to pass on the politically volatile recommendation. Soon, the Report as well as ATR are likely to be placed before the parliament and that may be like touching the hornet's nest. The pro-resvervationists are not likely to take the issue lightly. Besides, the Congress may loose the support of reservationists et al. Manmohan Singh may be interested but will the political scenerio allow? UPSC has clarified that they are going to implement Alagh Committee recomendations submitted to it in 2001. However, the Prime

The Liberhan Report has created only dust, no heat. This fact finding report has revealed no new fact otherwise unknown, yet it is full of opinions and contradictions. First, the Commission had to go through the events that led to the demolition of the disputed structure and the events started with the opening of the locks on Feb. 1, 1986 on the order of the then prime minister Mr Rajiv Gandhi but there is no mention of it. If the BJP is responsible for the event, then at least some blame must be shared by Mr Gandhi too. Second, the Report has exonerated Mr Narsimha Rao, the then prime minister. While various intelligence agencies already had the apprehension and various quarters had already suggested President's rule, why he did not act? Third, Liberhan has commented that BJP listened to a few, ignoring the masses. Why the Commission ignores the fact that BJP fought the elections mainly on this issue. The issue was on the top agenda of BJP and that was clear from their Election Ma