THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: From now onwards, behaviour towards the public will also be criteria for the promotion of gazetted officers. With the introduction of the new grading system for the annual confidential report of government employees, apart from efficiency, attitude towards those who come to the office seeking services will also be considered for promotion. Frequent absence from seats during work hours and delays in filing files can also affect promotion.

Based on the recommendations of the fourth report of the Administrative Reforms Commission, the Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department issued a circular on service code reform yesterday. Higher officials will determine the grade of behavioural excellence by examining complaints received from the public. With the introduction of numerical grading instead of the current A, B, C and D grading system for the confidential report, those who get grades less than five will have to go for compulsory training.

The uniqueness of the new grading is that the behaviour towards the people will also be part of the service rules. Service organizations have expressed dissatisfaction with the reforms, including this one.

The new grading will be applicable to all gazetted officers except Special Category. The calendar year for filing the confidential report is from January 1 to December 31.

Grading

Current method

• A, B, C and D grades were awarded based on written answers to nine categories of questions, including excellence in work, punctuality, and stress response.
• The grade is determined by two higher officers (Reporting Officer and Receiving Officer). Three officers at some point
• A is the highest grade. Those who get up to C grade will not be barred from promotion.

New method:

• Grades in the order of number one to ten. The lowest grade is one and the highest is ten.
• Officers who get grade five or less will have to undergo training.