As per media reports, the Department of Telecommunication (DoT) is contemplating asking the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) for the Indian Telecommunication Service (ITS) cadre review and an increase in the officers’ annual intake.
Needless to point out that the ITS is an elite group A civil service with its officers being responsible for policy formulation, regulation, and operations across multiple ministries and departments. But the department rues the meagre intake of only about 25 officers annually. The plight of the department is reflected by the fact that at present there are nearly 1,200 ITS officers nationwide, including those on deputations. It provides reason for the DoT to knock the DoPT for cadre review and increased intake of officers annually.
A senior government official admitted that discussion is being held in this regard.
The experts feel that review would strengthen the cadre structure and boost functional roles for skilled manpower in the state-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL), as well as the DoT and other ministries and organisations.
It is pertinent to mention here that the nature and role of telecommunication services have undergone a drastic change over the years, particularly with the advent of advanced technologies across varied sectors. Added to it, multinational assignments are increasing every day, necessitating the cadre review and an increase in annual intake on a priority basis.
The last cadre review took place in 2016 after a gap of 28 years. The DoPT had then agreed to have a recruitment review every five years to meet the growing manpower requirements. During the previous cadre review, the creation of one apex-level post of the Director General of Telecom was created, and the number of duty posts was fixed at 853.
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