Himachal Pradesh to reduce IAS cadre strength to cut costs

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has announced plans to reduce the sanctioned strength of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) cadre in the state from 153 to 130. The Chief Minister expressed a long-term goal to further decrease the number to approximately 110 posts.

Sukhu stated that the current number of officers exceeds the state's needs, leading to underutilization of talent as many are assigned to small departments. The restructuring is part of a broader policy termed ‘Vyavastha Parivartan’ (systemic change) aimed at achieving state self-reliance and addressing financial challenges following the discontinuation of the Revenue Deficit Grant.

In addition to the IAS, the government is reviewing the IPS cadre and has already proposed reducing the Indian Forest Service (IFS) cadre from 117 to 83 posts. Rationalizing these administrative cadres is estimated to reduce the state's revenue expenditure by approximately Rs 100-150 crore. The state government has formally written to the Union government regarding these proposed changes.