Sri Vijaya Puram, November 3: The exclusion of several departments from the feeder cadres eligible for induction into the Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Service (DANICS) has raised concerns over career advancement opportunities for experienced local officers, prompting a demand for changes to the existing recruitment rules.
TSG Bhasker, Chairman of the Campaign Committee of the Andaman and Nicobar Territorial Congress Committee (ANTCC), has urged the Lieutenant Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to intervene and seek equal consideration for eligible Group A and Group B Gazetted officers serving in different departments of the island administration.
In a representation submitted to the Lieutenant Governor, Bhasker pointed out that the existing induction system recognises only a limited number of feeder cadres, including Block Development Officers, Tehsildars and Assistant Registrars of Cooperative Societies. Consequently, officers from several other departments, despite their administrative experience and years of service, remain outside the identified categories.
He cited officers working in Fisheries, Agriculture and other allied departments, arguing that their responsibilities and experience in administering government programmes, managing field operations and serving remote areas make them equally deserving of consideration for career progression into DANICS.
The representation also highlighted the administrative value of local officers’ familiarity with the islands’ geographical and social conditions. Their experience in dealing with island connectivity, rural development, disaster management, implementation of government schemes and public service delivery, Bhasker argued, gives them an understanding of challenges that differ considerably from those encountered on the mainland.
He expressed concern that limiting eligibility to a few designated feeder cadres could undermine the morale of experienced officers from other departments and create dissatisfaction among those who have advanced through years of service. Recognising their experience through appropriate promotion opportunities, he said, would help retain institutional expertise and strengthen administrative efficiency.
Bhasker has asked the Lieutenant Governor to take up the matter with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) to secure necessary amendments to the existing recruitment rules. The proposed changes would allow eligible Group A and Group B Gazetted officers across different departments of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration to compete for induction into DANICS.
He has also called for regular meetings of Departmental Promotion Committees (DPCs) to ensure timely consideration of eligible island-based officers.
The representation places the focus on the scope of feeder-cadre eligibility, career progression and the utilisation of experienced local personnel in the islands’ administrative structure.
