Consider the following statements: 1. The Chief Secretary in a State is appointed by the Governor of that State. 2. The Chief Secretary in a State has a fixed tenure Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

QUESTION

Hard

Indian Polity

Prelims 2016

Consider the following statements:

The Chief Secretary in a State is appointed by the Governor of that State.
The Chief Secretary in a State has a fixed tenure

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Select an option to attempt

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Chief Secretary is appointed by the Chief Minister of the state. While Article 166 of the Constitution stipulates that all executive actions of a state government are taken in the name of the Governor, the actual authority to select and appoint the Chief Secretary rests with the Chief Minister. In administrative practice and for the purposes of the UPSC examination, the Chief Minister is recognized as the appointing authority, not the Governor.

Statement 2 is incorrect: There is no fixed tenure for the post of Chief Secretary. The duration of their service in this role is at the discretion of the state government (the Chief Minister). An officer can be removed or transferred from the post at any time before their retirement.

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