Monday, June 27 2005 15:49 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's proposal today (Jun 27, 2005) for a minimum security of tenure for civil servants to improve administration at the district level, evoked mixed response in New Delhi with some Chief Ministers favouring it while others expressing their opposition.

"This is a very good suggestion. There should be at least 2-3 years tenure for officers, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed told reporters.

However, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy said there were several "issues involved" and the Prime Minister had merely made a suggestion, which was not binding on the States.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda said the civil servants should remain "as officials and not as liability".

Favouring the proposal, Sayeed said a two-year tenure policy was already in place in his State and asked other States to implement for better governance at the district level and greater focus on rural development.

He also supported Government planning to impose user charges for water, saying populist measures like free power adversely affect the economic health of the state as there was greater wastage involved due to cost free availability to people.

Addressing the 51st session of the National Development Council, Singh said that it was necessary that civil servants should be entitled to a minimum security of tenure so that it can be judged whether they are equal to the tasks they have been assigned.