IT was interesting to read two letters “Revival of DMG” and “Injustices against PCS Officers” (Feb 7) regarding our bureaucratic and administrative system which has long been dominated by CSP/DMG.
Some days ago, when asked in a forum about the contribution made by the Provincial Civil Service towards good governance, a representative of PCS officers made an apt remark that it was DMG who exclusively remained at the helm of administrative affairs throughout the history of Pakistan. It was DMG which was to be asked as to why it failed to bring about good governance in the country.

Fair play is the sheet-anchor of good governance. But unfortunately, DMG has never meted out justice and fair play to provincial services. After the promulgation of the 1973 Constitution, which guarantees provincial autonomy, the DMG role should have been minimised and provincial services should have been strengthened.

However, unfortunately, the stranglehold of CSP/DMG tightened and the provincial services were totally marginalised. Things have come to such a sorry pass that currently not even a single provincial secretary and not even a single commissioner is from PCS.

It is interesting to note that DMG has got a quota allocated which is twice its numerical strength in the provinces. It is strange indeed that 134 DMG officers in grade 18 should have 300 grade 18 seats in the provinces.

This strong quota gives them room to concentrate on Punjab. There are few DMG officers in Balochistan and the NWFP where their presence is more needed to strengthen the federation.

Since policy-making positions are occupied by DMG officers in Punjab; therefore, they have made such rules and taken administrative actions that have resulted in denial of promotions to PCS officers.

For example, it is S&GAD of Punjab and Establishment Division of the Federal Government which has to arrange for the training of PCS officers for promotion to grade 20. But, PCS officers are rarely sent for NIPA training. The result is that even the minimal quota of PCS in grade 20 remains unfilled and is occupied by the DMG.

It is need of the hour that a neutral body like Punjab Pubic Service Commission, headed and manned by retired High Court judges and army generals of good repute, be entrusted with promotion matters of the downtrodden class of PCS