Total shake-up of bureaucracy on the cards

By V. Jayanth

CHENNAI, MAY 15. A day after assuming office as Chief Minister, Ms. Jayalalitha, was engaged in day-long strategy sessions and discussions with friends and advisers on how best to revamp the administration and reshuffle top bureaucrats.

Though some of the so-called ``loyal'' officials have been in touch with Poes Garden for some time, sources said a more serious dialogue began last week to identify ``the right officers for the right posts.'' A preliminary study has been completed and a number of officials already short-listed to take up responsible positions in the new administration.

A complete shake-up of both the bureaucracy and the police hierarchy is stated to be on the cards. From early this morning, speculation was rife about transfers and postings of senior police officers, but there was no order issued as yet.

After a courtesy call on the Chief Minister at the Secretariat yesterday, some of the senior officers met her today. But more important were the meetings she had with two retired officers, who have now emerged as key advisers - former Chief Secretary, Mr. N. Haribhaskar, and former Director General of Police, Mr. Walter Dawaram. Having promised an ``efficient'' and responsive administration, Ms. Jayalalitha was keen on getting the right persons for the sensitive posts.

As is now customary, the Chief Minister is expected to bring back some of the senior officers who held key positions in her previous tenure - 1991 to 1996. Some of them were sidelined during the DMK regime as top officials tend to get identified with a particular government.

Senior bureaucrats regret this ``politicisation'' and say it has become routine for every new government to identify officials considered to be ``too close'' to the previous regime. So rehabilitation of the ``marginalised'' officials by the next government has also become customary.

It is said that Ms. Jayalalitha may also be bringing back some ``seasoned and efficient hands,'' now on deputation to the Centre and this may include some IPS officers too. What remains to be seen is how the new Chief Minister deals with officers who have been charged in the cases, along with her or her erstwhile cabinet colleagues.

What has come in for particular notice in the preliminary study is that some officers, both in the IAS and IPS, have remained in the same post ``for unusually long periods.''

The normal tenure is about two to three years, but some officials have completed even four years now, without a change. The first few transfers or changes by Ms. Jayalalitha could convey a clear signal of the kind of administration that she wants in place.

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Section  : Southern States
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