CSSS Cadre Review Report released – Central Secretariat Stenographers’ Service

3rd CSSS Cadre Review of Central Secretariat Stenographers’ Service Cadre (CSSS Cadre) – Report of Committee Released

 

No.151/2014-CS.II(C)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training

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3rd floor, Lok Nayak Bhavan
Khan Market, New Delhi-100 003
Dated : 16th April, 2015

Subject: Cadre Review of Central Secretariat Stenographers’ Service (CSSS) – regarding.

3rd Cadre Restructuring Committee (CRC) constituted to review the service conditions of the CSSS personnel has submitted its report. The report of the Committee along with its major recommendations and duties of CSSS personnel are attached herewith for information.

2. Accordingly, all stakeholder viz., Ministries/Departments, Service Associations and individual officers may submit their comments on the report latest by 15th May, 2015. The comments may also be furnished via e-mail at [email protected]

sd/-
(Kameshwar Mishra)
Under Sercretary to the Govt. of India

The important factors to be studied by the committee are as follows:

Revised cadre strength

Status of CSSS Personnel : Proposed Requirement

Sl. No.	Grade of csss officers	Present Sanctioned strength	Proposed
1	PSO/Sr. PPS	143	211
2	PPS	780	855
3	PS	2090	2090
4	PA	2627	1900
5	Steno Gr. D	1324	1908
6	Total	6964	6964

The way forward:-

Keeping the existing scenario in view, the Committee has examined the following possible routes to ensure a better cadre structure which would increase the available manpower at the Central Secretariat for efficient, effective and responsive governance.

I. Entitlement norms:

The Committee during its interaction with Associations and representatives of the Ministries found that the actual staff posted at senior level was much beyond the norms laid down vide OM dated 28th October, 2005. The Committee has examined this issue and has proposed revised norms for various levels in the Central Government. These revised norms are placed at Annexure V.

While examining the various issues relating the cadre restructuring of CSSS, it was also noted that the 14th Finance Commission has hiked the states’ share of central taxes by 10 percentage points from the existing 32% to 42 %. This would have substantial impact on the financial resources available with the Central Government which may result m the scaling down of the Ministries/Departments dealing with the States.

II. (a) Change in nomenclature of Stenographer Gr.’ D’

The entry grade nomenclature of the Service is named as Stenographer Grade ‘D’. As the upper layers in the hierarchy are not designated in terms of Stenographers, the Committee finds no logic in continuing with the suffix ‘D’ with the Stenographer. The Committee, therefore, recommends that the entry grade of the Service be designated as Stenographer.

(b) Increasing the number at Steno Grade ‘D’ level:

The existing strength of Stenographers Grade D is 1324. The Committee has recommended posting them with Joint Secretaries & equivalent, Under Secretaries and Desk Officers. With a view to correct the existing cadre structure of CSSS and keeping in view the actual requirement in the Central Secretariat, the number of posts at Stenographers Grade ‘D’, which is the entry grade to the service, may be increased from the existing strength of 1324 to 1908. The intake with respect to the increased posts will be filled in two phases. The Stenographers Grade D may also be posted in the sections. This will develop multi-skilling in the officials and will also prepare them for the grade of Assistants in CSS. Increasing the number at the entry grade would also correct the existing skewed cadre structure.

III. Decrease the number of posts at PA level:

Presently, the sanctioned strength of PA is 2627. As per the entitlement proposed by the Committee, Secretary/Special Secretary/ Addi. Secretary & equivalent and Under Secretaries & equivalent are entitled for a PA. Considering the requirement of this grade the Committee has proposed to decrease 727 posts at PA level and reduce the sanctioned strength to 1900. The Committee has also observed that in the last four years negligible number of vacancies under the LDCE quota has been filled. The number of nominations made during the years 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 through LDCE are 6, 6, 1 and Nil respectively. There are a large number of unfilled vacancies even under the SQ quota due to non availability of eligible officers in the feeder grade. The reason for this is that against 1324 sanctioned strength of Steno Grade D the strength of PA grade is 2627. This structure needs to be corrected. The Committee is of the view that the vacancies in the PA grade may be filled in the ratio of 75:25 i.e. 75% through SQ and 25% through LDCEmode by amending the Recruitment Rules which would improve the promotional opportunity in the Steno Grade D and also the requisite manpower would be available in this grade.

IV. No change in the number of posts at PS level.

Presently, the sanctioned strength of PS is 2090. As per the entitlement proposed by the Committee, Secretary/ Spl. Secretary/ Joint Secretary & equivalent officers and Director and Dy. Secretary are entitled for a PS. Considering the requirement of this grade the Committee has proposed to retain the existing sanctioned strength of 2090. The Committee has also observed that in the last three years the number of vacancy under the LDCE quota has not been filled. The Committee is of the view that the vacancies in the PS grade may be filled in the ratio of 75:25 i.e. 75% through SQ and 25% through LDCEmode by amending the Recruitment Rules. This will reduce stagnation at the PAgrade.

V. Increasing the number of posts at PPS level:

Presently the sanctioned strength of PPS is 780. As per the entitlement proposed by the Committee Secretary/ Special Secretary/ Addl. Secretary and Joint Secretary and equivalent in the Government of India are entitled for PPS. Considering the functional requirement, 75 posts are proposed to be increased in this grade and thereby increasing the sanctioned strength to 855. This will also address the issue of stagnation in the feeder grade.

VI. Increasing the number of posts at Sr. PPS level:

Presently the sanctioned strength of Sr. PPS is 143 out of which 15% of the total posts of Sr. PPS and PPS can be operated at PSO level. As per the entitlement proposed by the Committee Secretary/Special Secretary/ Addl. Secretary and equivalent in the Government of India are entitled for a Sr. PPS/PSO. Therefore, 68 posts are proposed to be increased in this grade keeping in view the functional requirement in the Central Government. This will also address the issue of stagnation in the PPS grade. With the said increase the sanctioned strength of Sr.PPS will be 211.

The existing provision of operating of 15% of the total posts of Sr. PPS and PPS at PSO level shall continue.

VII Promotion upto the level of post of Joint Secretary :

The Committee also deliberated upon the demand of CSSS Associations for promotion upto the level of Joint Secretary. Keeping in view the structural and promotional hierarchy of the service and duties & responsibilities attached with the Service, the Committee finds no justification for creation of the post at the level of Joint Secretary in csss.

VIII Additional promotional opportunity for Steno Grade D:

Presently, the CSSS officials can avail of the opportunity of entry into CSS at SO level through SO/PS grade LDCE conducted by UPSC. There is a need to increase the promotional avenues for deserving CSSS officials. An opening in this regard may be provided at Assistant level of CSS through LDCE mode. As per the existing recruitment rules 10% of the vacancies in Assistant grade of CSS are filled through eligible officials from CSCS. This percentage is likely to increase in the light of the recommendations of CSS Cadre Review Committee. Stenographers Grade D, who are graduates, with 6 years of approved service may also be permitted to appear, along with UDCs of CSCS, at the LDCE for entry into Assistant grade of CSS.

IX. Issue of revival of direct recruitment in PA grade in CSSS:

Prior to first cadre structuring, direct recruitment was being made at two consecutive levels- the entry level of Steno grade D and also at the next level of PA. The 1st Cadre Review Committee recommended that direct recruitment of PA should be discontinued. The Committee was of the view that Stenographers Grade ‘C’ and ‘D’ are appointed through the same examination conducted by SSC. Both the grades have the same recruitment qualification but they are recruited to these two different grades on the basis of different stenographic skills. For Stenographer Gr. ‘C’ and Stenographer Gr. ‘D’ the minimum stenographic speed required is 100 w.p.m and 80 w.p.m. respectively. Accordingly, the Committee recommended that direct recruitment at the level of Steno Gr.’C’ should be immediately stopped and mode of recruitment to Steno Gr. ‘C’ should be changed so that the posts are filled 50% through LDCE for Steno Gr. ‘D’ and 50% by promotion by seniority of Steno Gr. ‘D’. This would address the problem of stagnation at the level of Steno Gr. ‘D’.

The recommendation of the 1st Cadre Review Committee was accepted and consequently direct recruitment at PA level was discontinued. Further, the recruitment rules for promotion to PA grade were modified in accordance with the recommendation.

In term of the extant provision, 50% of vacancies in PA grade are filled up by Stenographers Grade D with 6 years of approved service who qualify the LDCE conducted by SSC. The remaining 50% percent is filled through seniority quota from Steno Grade D with 10 years of approved service. If Direct Recruit (DR) PA is reintroduced this would adversely affect the promotion of Steno Grade D both under SQ and LDCE categories as the yearly vacancies available for them would get reduced to the extent of intake of DR PA.

Having regard to above facts, the Committee is not inclined to recommend re-introduction of direct recruitment at PA level in CSSS. It is of the view that mechanism of infusing young and fresh talent into CSSS already exists through the fast tract promotional avenues provided under LDCEmode both at PA and PS level under CSSS.

X. Job profile of the CSSS officers:

The duties & responsibilities to be performed by the CSSS personnel (Sr. PPSs/PPSs/PSs/PAs/Stenographers are at present regulated by the OM No. 10/4/99-CS.II dated 1st November, 1999. The Committee is of the opinion that the concerned Administrative Division of Department of Personnel and Training may revise the existing duties & responsibilities of the CSSS personnel (grade wise) keeping in view the functional requirement.

XI. Reserve in CSSS

Presently there is a provision of deputation reserve of 20%, leave reserve of 3 % and training reserve of 1 % of the sanctioned strength of Principal Private Secretary and above in the CSSS Rules, 2010.

Provision of Reserves as provided in CSSS Rules has, however, never been operated so far perhaps for the reason that no methodology has been in place. As in other services, Reserve is to be operated in the entry grade. In the case of. CSSS too, assessment of actual need for reserves and reporting of vacancies at the lowest level or Steno Grade ‘D’ should be done in advance. The Committee has accordingly deliberated the issue with reference to guidelines of CRD of DoPT. The OM dated
11.2.2013 of CRD, DoPT lays down the revised norms for reserves in the organized Group ‘A’ services as under:-

(i) Training Reserve – Not exceeding 1.5% of SDP

(ii) Leave Reserve – Not exceeding 1.5% of SDP

(iii) Deputation Reserve – Not exceeding 5% of SDP

(iv) Probationary Reserve equal to the period of probation (x) DR batch size.

The CRD guidelines on probationary reserve may not be applicable in the case of CSSS as the duration of training of DR Stenographers Grade D is only for a period of 6 weeks compared to 1-2 years in group A services. Therefore, reserves in CSSS should operate against long leave and deputations only. In parity with the provisions under CSS Rules, the Committee recommends that a reserve of 8% of the revised cadre strength of PA and above levels in CSSS should be operated at Stenographers Grade D to meet the shortfall and requirement of manpower across Ministries/Departments. Other than Stenographers Grade D, reserves in CSSS should not be maintained in any other grade. CSSS Rules, 2010 should accordingly be amended.

For More details about CSSS Cadre Review, Click the link given below
Download Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions Circular No.151/2014-CS.II(C) dated 16.04.2015