for many years has to be rejuvenated for deciding decisive issues - I Rammohan Rao (Information Consultant to MoD and Ex. PIO)

Addressing the ‘non-reviewing’ of the IIS - cadre for the past 15 years as an omnious problem, Mr Ajay Mandlaus spoke exclusively to the editorial team of the IIS newsletter about the various problems facing the service. Though the cadre has to be reviewed once in every five years, no review has been done since the last one in 1988. Concerned about this grave situation, the Cabinet Secretary himself has written few months back to the concerned authorities to take immediate corrective measures. The future of the Prasar Bharati and the role of IIS officers there, if any, have also complicated the matter. According to the sources close to the ministry, Prasar Bharati has written to the ministry of Information and Broadcasting that they want IIS officers for three more years only, implying there by, the review will not have any meaning if it is undertaken now. But as Mr Mandlaus pointed out, "Come what may, Prasar Bharati issue has to be decided now, the cadre review which has been held hostage over the years by a variety of reasons cannot be held up for any more time." The best way is to consider the posts held by IIS officers in Prasar Bharati as ‘ in deputation’ and regularise the cadre with immediate effect. The rejuvenation of the cadre, which has been mismanaged over the years, is also a compelling need for ensuring proper human resource management in the future years. Ex PIO I Rammohan Rao says, ‘there is a provision for an information service board for considering the major issues concerning the service’. This mechanism, which is redundant for many years has to be reinvented for deciding issues like cadre review.