In a major shake of the Bhutanese bureaucratic history, Royal Civil Service Commission has terminated 44 executed level officials, who will leave the service in April.
In a press release, RCSC that the 44 executives took a special retirement offer, which included their retirement benefits and additional salaries of the months remaining before they superannuate, which is capped at a maximum of 24 months.
The commission said 47 executives failed in its test on performance in their position – seven were secretaries, 22 were director generals and 18 were directors.
The press release stated that two executives chose to be transferred to lower position levels and another moved to a specialist position level.
The executives were given options of non-guaranteed re-appointment in six months if vacancy arise or take benefits and retire.
The press release stated that agencies may be merged, positions made redundant, and others streamlined. “Civil servants, regardless of seniority, who find themselves unable to keep pace with these changes and, therefore, unable to effectively serve citizens, may be managed out.”
The RCSC official said that in the process of merging agencies, positions made redundant, and streamlining, it wasn’t sure that 47 positions would still remain or if it will be further streamlined or made redundant.
The press release also stated that going forward, executives would be given expanded roles. “The RCSC will continuously assess all executives. Our executives understand that meeting the high expectations of the leadership assessment conducted earlier this year in no way guarantees their place or progression in the civil service.”
It further stated that the transformation of the civil service would be driven by agencies that continuously innovate, use data and technology to deliver services, and work effectively and efficiently with one another more collaboratively. “We will redesign public service delivery and reorganise our agencies such that the wellbeing of our citizens and our future generations are front and centre. The civil service will strive harder to deliver economic prosperity, progress and wellbeing for all.”
