Disgruntled food officials

The officials concerned are reported to have been given the assurance, back in 1992, that they would get promotion. The establishment ministry's clearance in this respect made it amply clear that the then government had decided to accept the demand of the officials. But it seems the issue is still stuck in an insoluble bureaucratic tangle, which is why the officials are now planning to go beyond the usual track to press home their demand. It is not at all clear why the committee in charge of reviewing the issue now wants to know from the food ministry the rationale behind the decision to promote the officials. Why after 12 years? After all, the matter has had a bearing on the careers of 623 government officials. The usually slow-moving bureaucracy appears to have been particularly lacklustre in dealing with the issue.

The services of government officials are regulated by clearly laid down principles and if the government wants to upgrade a group of functionaries there should not be any ambiguity in the decision.

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The food officials have announced their action plan at a time when the country is passing through a crisis, prices of food of various kinds having soared considerably in the last 10 days or so. The strike will surely have a debilitating impact on the public food delivery system.

It is far from desirable, and amounts to breach of service discipline, if the officials go on strike to force the government to accept their demand. But the government should also see to it that the case that has hung fire for so long is resolved positively. We suggest that the path of discussion be taken to settle the issue sooner than later.