Question : Secretary Posts Non-IAS Officers

(a) the total number of Secretaries at present in various departments/ministries belonging to Indian Administrative Services (IAS) and the number of Secretaries out of them who belongs to SC and ST categories;

(b) whether the Parliamentary Committee on Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes has recently pointed out in their report that it is a matter of concern for not appointing SCs/STs as Secretaries in various departments/ministries as reported in the media;

(c) if so, whether on the basis of the report of the above Committee the Government proposes to take any corrective steps and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) whether the Government proposes to appoint Non-IAS officers to hold such higher level posts in the ministries/ departments and if so, the details thereof?

Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office. (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)
(a) to (d): Presently the total number of Secretaries in various Ministries/Departments belonging to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) is 69 of which one belongs to Scheduled Caste (SC) and two to Scheduled Tribe (ST). The Committee on the Welfare of SCs and STs (16th Lok Sabha) in its 3rd report on “Review of representation of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes in senior positions of Government of India” made recommendations inter-alia on empanelment and representation of SC/ST officers in senior positions in Government of India. There is no provision for reservation in appointments at senior positions under the Central Staffing Scheme. Secretaries are appointed on the basis of their experiences and suitability as per the established procedures. Presently 18 non-IAS officers are holding the posts of Secretaries in various Ministries/Departments of Government of India. Further, a person with expertise in the sector has been appointed as Secretary, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation on contract basis.

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