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The debate over whether Goa should have its own civil services cadre may finally be coming to an end.
The decision on whether to continue with the existing AGMU (Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram and Union Territories) cadre or have its own cadre is now expected to be taken early in November.
Goa has decided to drop the controversial plan of either forming a joint IAS cadre with the neighbouring states of Maharashtra and Karnataka or other small states in the country.
The issue had figured in the last two cabinet meetings but was not resolved. Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, along with three ministers, will now ascertain the views of concerned politicians and officials on the issue on October 26.
After having been served by IAS, IPS and IFS officers on deputation from various states since 1961 when it became an Union Territory, Goa had agreed to be part of the AGMU cadre in 1987, after gaining statehood, as a temporary arrangement.
The issue of a separate state cadre arose in 1999 when then Congress chief minister Luizinho Faleiro was involved in a confrontation with the Centre over recalling then chief secretary Seva Ram Sharma.
Sharma had, during an earlier spell of central rule, ensured that a complaint against Faleiro of accumulating disproportionate wealth was probed.
After coming to power two years ago, the BJP had proposed a joint cadre with Maharashtra. This move faced strong opposition as it evoked memories of the proposal to merge Goa with Maharashtra. That proposal had been thwarted by the country's sole referendum held in 1967.
Parrikar later proposed a joint cadre with Union Territories like Daman, Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli - all former Portuguese colonies like Goa, but has admitted it found few takers even within his own government.
The majority opinion seems to favour a state cadre.
The opposition to this stems from the fact that the small state would not have more than 18 officers. Besides, being a small state, where would politicians post inconvenient officers?
With officers on deputation from the Centre and AGMU cadre officers, there is no such problem.
"Also, Goa is almost the last choice for any good IAS officer," admits Parrikar. He fears that a separate cadre may result in the state getting 'bad' officers.
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