Ministers to decide on search panels for recruitments: Government

NEW DELHI: The Minister of a concerned ministry will now decide the composition of search-cum-selection committees to fill vacant government posts, as per the draft rules formed by the Centre.

According to existing guidelines, ministries have to constitute these committees with the approval of their Minister-in-Charge and thereafter the composition of the search-cum-selection committee needs to be approved by Department of Personnel and Training ( DoPT).

It has now been decided to delegate the power to approve such committees to the respective ministries or departments, the DoPT said in new guidelines.

"The Search Committee or Search-cum-selection Committee would now be constituted with the approval of Minister-in-Charge of the respective Ministry or Department and there would be no need to refer the same to DoPT for approval. A copy of the Committee so constituted may be forwarded to DoPT," it said.

All ministries have been asked to send their comments on the proposed changes in the guidelines by March 15.

Existing guidelines allow ministries to choose the Chairman of the Committee. They may, however, ensure that the person, so chosen, is distinguished and of sufficiently high standing commensurate with the level of the post for which selection is to be recommended by the Committee.