Dehradun: The deputation system in Uttarakhand has once again come under scrutiny, with several officials continuing to serve in various departments and development authorities for years despite the government having prescribed clear tenure limits and rules. Even after the completion of their deputation period, many officers have not returned to their parent departments, resulting in growing staff shortages across government offices.
Recently, the Irrigation Department wrote to the state government seeking the return of its engineers currently serving on deputation. The department clarified that officers whose deputation tenure has expired must immediately report back to their parent department. Similar directives have been issued on several occasions in the past, but with little visible impact.
According to reports, several officials and engineers continue to serve in organizations such as the Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) and the Haridwar-Roorkee Development Authority (HRDA) even though their deputation periods expired long ago.
A similar situation reportedly exists in the Watershed Department, where several officers from other departments have remained on deputation for extended periods. This has adversely affected the functioning of their parent departments, leading to manpower shortages that are impacting development projects and public works.
Principal Secretary of the Irrigation Department R. Meenakshi Sundaram acknowledged that the deputation terms of several officials have expired. He said officers who have received valid extensions may continue in their current assignments, but those whose tenure has ended must either obtain an extension in accordance with the rules or return to their parent departments.
Meanwhile, Watershed Minister Ram Singh Kaida stated that the deputation system should function strictly according to administrative requirements and that the rules must be implemented uniformly for everyone.
Administrative experts believe that better facilities, postings in urban areas, and opportunities to work on major infrastructure projects are among the reasons many officers are reluctant to return to their parent departments. They argue that if the government is unable to enforce its own rules effectively, it naturally raises questions about the transparency and purpose of the deputation system.
