PMO cracks down on excess ministerial staff
June 12, 2009 15:38 IST
The Centre issued a clarification about the personal staff members of each Union Minister of state.The allies have begun to dilute the importance of the office of an MOS, by ushering in a huge personal staff, including that of their party workers.
Instances have come to the notice of Cabinet Secretariat that Trinamool and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam ministers who are the first timers in the corridors of power have begun to fill their offices with people from their constituencies and party workers
This was being objected to by the concerned secretaries to the government.
In Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, the decision of the chief minister is final in the cases of appointments of personal staff.
But that is not the case in New Delhi. The PMO and the security agencies come into play.
Engaging a large personal staff constitutes a security risk. That is why the Intelligence Bureau always maintains a close
watch on the staff members of Union Ministers to ensure that the staff are not attracted by anti national forces and do not compromise on matters on national security and importance.
This clarification was necessiated as Trinamool and DMK Ministers of state have begun to fill their offices with 25-30 'personal' staff.
A Correspondent in Delhi
