Q. With reference to the Chief Secretary of a state, consider the following statements:
1. Chief Secretary is appointed by the Governor of the state for a fixed tenure of two years.
2. The Central government has the power to approve extension of service of Chief Secretary for a period not exceeding six months.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Exp) Option b is the correct answer.
Statement 1 is incorrect: Chief Secretary is chosen by the Chief Minister and, appointment is an executive action and it is taken in the name of the Governor of the state. However, there is no provision of a fixed tenure for the Chief Secretary.
Statement 2 is correct: Extension of service of the Chief Secretary of a state is approved by the Central government. As per the rules, “a member of the Service dealing with budget work or working as a full-time member of a committee which is to be wound up within a short period may be given extension of service for a period not exceeding three months in public interest, with the prior approval of the Central Government”. For an officer posted as Chief Secretary of a state, this extension can be for six months.
