YSR Congress party president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, who has been facing the criticism of appointing advisors left, right and centre on every subject, is likely to slash the number of advisors in the coming days.
This was evident from the way his government has given an undertaking to the state high court on Tuesday. In an affidavit to the high court, the government said it would formulate a policy in appointing advisors, instead of indiscriminate appointments.
“We have decided to have a scientific policy on the appointment of advisors. The cabinet will soon meet to discuss and approve the policy,” the government said in the affidavit.
According to the policy, the Jagan government will, hereafter, appoint advisors only for the ministers and not for the departments or officials. The guidelines will be formulated accordingly.
“The advisors would be assisting only the ministers,” it said.
If any minister wants to appoint any advisor, he or she has to inform the chief minister well in advance in writing and take his approval.
The advisors would be appointed for a period of two years and if necessary, would be given extension for another two years, depending on their performance.
The policy also indicated that the advisors would come under the definition of public servants and hence, the Prevention of Corruption Act would be applicable to them. The policy will also be applied to the chief minister’s advisors as well.
The government has told the court that it would redesignate the existing advisors as advisors to the ministers. The policy would explain the role to be played by the advisors and their responsibilities.
“They would only advise the ministers on policy issues, but would not interfere in the day to day activities of the civil servants,” the government said, adding that they would abide by the Officials Secrets Act.
