The government has notified new rules of removal of all-India service officers, including IAS and IPS officers among others, for incompetence. Earlier, the government reviewed an officer's performance only after 30 years of service and could remove him/her then for incompetence.

Now, the government proposes that the appraisal occur after 15 years of service.

The thirty years of service rule effectively meant that an incompetent babu could serve till near retirement. Therefore, the 15-years rule seems like a welcome change. But, increasingly, appraisals are becoming an annual affair in all organisations that lay a premium on performance. In the private sector, quarterly appraisals are not unheard of also. Thus, the amended rule for babus seems absurd in comparision. Why should the common man have to pay for someone's inefficiency in adminstering services?

At the same time, the nature of executive and bureaucratic work means that the tangible deliverables can only be assessed after long gestation periods. Implementing policy, that too in a country where there are stakeholders by the dozen, is slow and deliberate work, unlike managing profit every quarter.

Considering these points, would you say that the 15-year rule is a welcome change? Post a comment explaining your choice.