As a part of administrative reforms, accounts and finance wing officers under the telecom ministry have approached Prime Minister Narendra Modi for merger with the Indian Audit and Account Services (IA&AS). The proposed merger will not only bring in more efficiency and transparency, but also equal opportunities for all officers, say experts.
The India Post and Telecommunication Accounts Finance Services (IP&TAFS) officers are selected through civil services exam conducted by UPSC and handle all revenue related matters at the departments of telecom and post, including adjusted gross revenue liabilities, spectrum price, licence fees, spectrum usage charges, among others.
According to sources, the association has requested the Prime Minister to merge “various organised account services in government of India” either with Indian Audit and Account Services (IA&AS) as per recommendations of the 6th Central Pay Commission (CPC) or create a new Indian Accounts and Finance Services.
The other organised Group A accounts services include the Indian Civil Accounts Service, Indian Defence Accounts Service and Indian Railway Accounts Service.
“A single cadre will keep officers moving in various departments and will not bind them to any particular department. The neutrality in the cadre will help officers in doing what is in the best interest of the nation and not limited to a department,” said an official from the department.
