Lahore – The Punjab government’s efforts to meet demands of Provincial Management Service (PMS) officers got a jolt when the Punjab additional chief secretary (ACS) slashed the number of BPS-17 posts, further reducing numbers of the PMS cadre, Pakistan Today has learnt. According to details, the total number of posts in BPS-17 of the Services and General Administration (S&GAD) has been decreased from 1,204 to 984, showing a net decrease of 220. Moreover, the cadre strength of PMS remains at 912 after allocating 72 posts for DMG and share of the All Pakistan Unified Group (APUG).
The PCS Officers Association termed the move an attempt against their due share in BPS-17. Talking to Pakistan Today, PCS Officers Association President Manzur Nasir said that he has brought the issue to notice of both the ACS and the chief secretary through letters. He said that the ACS assumed role of “competent authority”, which is surprising as even in the CSP Composition and Cadre Rules 1954, which are ab initio void and unconstitutional and have been challenged in the Supreme Court, “The competent authority” is the president and even he cannot do it alone, it must be done with consultation of the provincial governor and that too was for the CSP and not for the DMG.
In this way, the ACS has acted without jurisdiction, he said.
Nasir said that several meetings were held under chair of the provincial law secretary where the PCS and PMS Association vehemently demanded inclusion of posts of deputation/training/leave (DTL) in BPS-18 and above and to substantiate its demand.
The new notification has made the entire exercise null and void, he added. Nasir said that a letter has also been written to the CS to direct the ACS to rectify the matter.
