Bihar Urban Development Department Implements One-Exam Rule for Officials
The Urban Development and Housing Department (UDHD) in Bihar has issued a significant order that will limit its officers and employees to appearing in only one competitive examination throughout their entire service period to advance to higher pay scales. This directive, released on Monday, aims to address concerns over official work being hampered by repeated exam preparations.
New Regulations for Career Advancement
According to the order, if any officer or employee wishes to take a competitive exam more than once during their tenure, they must first resign from their position. The department cited that frequent requests from employees to appear in such exams were disrupting project execution and delaying government work due to excessive focus on study preparations.
The order further emphasized that officials seeking permission for exams while continuing to draw salaries and benefits from the government is against public interest. It states: "Officials and employees of the subordinate cadres of the department will be permitted to appear in competitive examinations only for posts at a higher pay level than their current position, and this permission will be granted only once during their entire service period."
Political Reactions and Controversy
The order has sparked mixed reactions from political parties. Congress spokesperson Snehashish Vardhan Pandey criticized the move, labeling it as an arbitrary decree and accusing the BJP of undermining the Constitution. He argued that meritorious individuals should be encouraged for progressive career growth, questioning whether leaders themselves do not aspire to higher roles.
In contrast, BJP leader Prabhakar Mishra welcomed the decision, describing it as a crucial step toward enhancing administrative efficiency and accountability. He noted that government work suffers when employees repeatedly focus on exams, and this new system aims to create a balanced approach that motivates employees to work responsibly and improve public services.
JD(U) spokesperson Anjum Ara also defended the order, stating its purpose is to reduce obstacles in government operations and ensure employee accountability.
Implementation and Scope
The order was issued by Rajeev Ranjan Tiwari, deputy secretary to the government, and has been circulated to various bodies including Buidco, Bihar State Housing Board, Patna Metro Rail Corporation Ltd, Housing Metropolitan Area Authority, Real Estate Regulatory Authority, Real Estate Appellate Authority, municipal corporations, and engineers. This widespread dissemination indicates the department's intent to enforce the rule across its subordinate organizations to streamline work processes and prioritize public service delivery.
