A year has passed since the Karnataka Legislative Assembly approved the creation of an additional secretary post, yet the position remains unfilled. The delay has sparked questions about administrative inefficiency and unclear eligibility criteria.
Speaker UT Khader initiated the process by writing to the Finance Department on June 29, 2024, securing approval for the secretary-2 role. However, the Legislative Assembly Secretary has not issued the necessary administrative order, leaving the post in limbo. Surprisingly, the matter hasn’t even reached the Cadre and Appointments Committee for review.
Sources suggest the hold-up stems from confusion over qualifications. While some insist a law degree is mandatory, this requirement isn’t enforced in over 13 other states or the Lok Sabha. The contradiction raises eyebrows about whether bureaucracy, rather than necessity, is driving the delay.
Meanwhile, Karnataka Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti swiftly secured approval for a similar post in the Council and completed the appointment process without hiccups. The contrasting timelines highlight inconsistencies in how legislative bodies handle recruitment.
Eligibility for the Assembly’s secretary-2 role specifies that candidates must hold a Senior Joint Secretary or Director position with a pay scale of approximately Rs 1.50 lakh. JE Shashidhar, currently drawing the required salary, meets these criteria but remains in waiting due to the unresolved debate over qualifications.
The delay has drawn intervention from multiple ministers and senior officials in the Chief Minister’s Office, underscoring the post’s significance. Yet, with no clear resolution in sight, the Assembly continues to function without this key administrative support.
Observers note that such delays could hamper legislative efficiency, especially when other states and central bodies operate smoothly without the disputed law degree mandate. The lingering question is whether Karnataka’s bureaucracy will prioritize pragmatism or persist with arbitrary hurdles.