APO: DOP’S LETHARGY IS NIGHTMARE FOR IAS!

Jaipur: IAS officers in Rajasthan returning from deputation or foreign study leave are being subjected to lengthy waits for postings upon their return. This wait can extend from a week to one or two months. Despite promptly joining after their return, these officers are placed on APO (awaiting posting orders), by the Department of Personnel (DoP), which has unfortunately become a permanent practice.

A recent example is Debashish Prusty, a 2000-batch IAS officer, who has been on APO for the past 35 days. Prusty served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of India, Brussels, after leaving for a foreign assignment in October 2019. Originally slated for a three-year term, his exemplary performance earned him a one-year extension.

Upon returning from such a prestigious and crucial role, Prusty promptly reported to the DoP on April 12. However, instead of receiving due recognition, he was placed on APO, leaving uncertainty regarding his fresh posting.

Similarly, following their return from central deputation, officers like Shubhra Singh endured a 45-day stint on APO, while Alok faced a fourday delay. Arushi Ajay Malik, returning from a foreign study leave, languished on APO for 20 days, paralleled by Rajan Vishal and Archana Singh, each enduring a 15- day interlude. Additionally, IAS officers Inderjeet Singh and Neha Giri, upon their respective returns, grappled with a 12- day hiatus on APO. Anandhi, after returning from LSB Mussoorie, was ensnared in APO limbo for 10 days. Also, upon their reintegration from their home states Bihar and Karnataka, Punam and Ravi Kumar Surpur found themselves in the APO quagmire for 45 and 46 days, respectively.

Administrative experts stress that it is not right that APO is mentioned in any IAS’s service dossier. Moreover, if this mention finds a place without any reason and that too without the officer’s fault, then it is unjust. Moreover, DoP has complete knowledge of which IAS officer is returning when and thus why can’t it plan for their postings beforehand for a seamless reintegration?

The practice of placing IAS officers on APO is understandable in cases of arrest by the ACB or state govt punishment. Even in scenarios like govt transitions, as seen with Kuldeep Ranka, Arti Dogra, Rajan Vishal, and Gaurav Goyal, a brief APO stint can be justified. However, subjecting officials to APO upon their return home doesn’t align with the principles of good governance.