In a path-breaking administrative change, the central government has abolished the post of advisor to the administrator in Chandigarh. Now, the Chief Secretary will take its place. This change has taken place after 40 years. The number of IAS officers in Chandigarh has also been increased. With the creation of the post of Chief Secretary and increase in the number of two new IAS officers, the decision-making process and policy formulation of the Chandigarh administration will certainly get a boost.
In the beginning, there used to be the post of the Chief Commissioner in Chandigarh when it was formed, but, on June 3, 1984, the Central
Government abolished the post of Chief Commissioner and created the post of Advisor to the Administrator. So, now, after four decades, the Centre has replaced the post of advisor with that of the chief secretary.
Though, the post of advisor is considered to be lower than that of the chief secretary, any officer who occupied the post of advisor in Chandigarh was virtually at the level of Chief Secretary, but he was called an advisor. That was precisely the reason why there was a demand for the post of Chief Secretary in Chandigarh for a long time.
This move of the central government is being welcomed by all and sundry. Many believe that this move will lift the post of advisor to administrator in Chandigarh at par with the chief secretaries of Punjab, Haryana and other states, which was required.
But it was not a formality as the central government had to amend the Indian Administrative Service (Fixation of Cadre Strength) Regulations-1955 by which the number of IAS officers in Chandigarh was also increased.
Earlier, there were nine IAS officers in Chandigarh, but now this number has been increased to 11. This includes the posts of Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, Finance Secretary, Urban Planning and Smart City Secretary, DC, Joint Commissioner Finance, Excise Commissioner, other two Secretaries, Additional Secretary, ADC. This increase is expected to bring speed and efficiency in administrative work.
The purpose of this administrative change is to make administrative processes more effective and strengthen Chandigarh Administration.
