Shimla, August 19: Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh has extended support to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s exercise to reduce the number of senior officers in Himachal Pradesh, saying the state’s administrative structure has become “top-heavy” and needs restructuring.
Vikramaditya said the issue has been under consideration for a long time and a Cabinet sub-committee has also been constituted to examine the matter.
He said the present administrative system has developed into an inverted pyramid, with a larger number of officers at the top and comparatively fewer employees at the lower levels.There is a need to revise the structure and strengthen the lower levels,” he said.
The minister pointed out that in the past, the Public Works and Irrigation and Public Health departments functioned under a single Engineer-in-Chief, whereas the PWD currently has two E-in-Cs and the Jal Shakti Department has three.
He said a similar review was required across departments.
Vikramaditya also indicated that the PWD could reduce certain senior-level posts. He said three national highways earlier handled by the department have now come under the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
“The wing still has one Chief Engineer and two Superintending Engineers. Since the number of roads under the department has reduced, it will be examined whether such staffing is still required,” he said.
Meanwhile, Vikramaditya said the Centre has approved another four-lane road project in Himachal Pradesh.
The proposed four-lane road from Dhalli-Rampur to Kaurik will run parallel to NH-305 and will involve the construction of several tunnels. He said discussions had already been held with NHAI officials and necessary directions issued.
