Concerned Department: NITI Aayog.
Sanjeev Goyal
PMOPG/E/2026/0044397
Sub: Policy Matters
(1) Rationalisation of Staff Car Driver Posts : At present, several Government departments continue to maintain exclusive Staff Car Driver posts. However, similar driving duties are already included in the functional profile of Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS). In practice, there are numerous situations when a dedicated driver remains under-utilised - for example when the concerned officer is on leave, the vehicle is under repair, the existing vehicle has been condemned and no replacement has been sanctioned, or when the vehicle is used only for limited commuting purposes (such as transporting the officer between residence and office). In such cases, the driver spends a substantial portion of the working day waiting, resulting in significant idle time.
As per the terms of engagement, a person appointed as a driver are not assigned other office duties. Consequently, maintaining a separate post solely for driving often leads to inefficient utilisation of manpower. Both Driver and MTS belong to cadres where employees typically perform the same category of duties throughout their careers; therefore, functional integration is feasible.
In the interest of improving manpower utilisation, it may be considered that future vacancies of Staff Car Drivers be converted into MTS posts. Candidates possessing a valid driving licence could be appointed as MTS and entrusted with driving duties whenever required, while also performing other routine office tasks during non-driving periods.
This approach has already been adopted by some Central Autonomous Bodies, where it has contributed to better workforce utilisation. Considering the widespread availability of individuals with driving skills in the country, such a transition is practically feasible. The proposed rationalisation would enhance administrative efficiency and also lead to financial savings.
(2) Alignment of Office Timings in the North-Eastern Region : There exists a substantial difference in sunrise timings between the North-Eastern region of India and the rest of the country due to geographical location. In many parts of the North-East, daylight begins as early as around 4:00 AM, yet government offices continue to follow the standard office timings applicable to the rest of India. This results in a mismatch with the natural daylight cycle, leading to unnecessary reliance on artificial lighting and inefficient utilisation of daylight hours. Such a situation is not only inconsistent with the natural biological clock but also leads to avoidable consumption of energy resources.
Several countries address similar geographical variations through seasonal or regional adjustments in working hours. For instance, in the United States, Daylight Saving Time is implemented to optimise the use of natural light during different seasons. A similar concept may be examined for the North-Eastern region by introducing region-specific office timings, enabling better utilisation of natural daylight. This would contribute to energy conservation, improved work-life balance, and alignment with sustainable development principles.
The matter may therefore merit policy consideration.
(3) Review of Income Tax Exemption Provisions in the North-Eastern Region: Certain categories of income earned by members of Scheduled Tribes residing in the North-Eastern region currently enjoy income-tax exemption under specific provisions of the Income Tax Act.
Over the past two decades, there has been a considerable improvement in economic conditions, infrastructure, and income levels in several parts of the region. Government employees posted or serving there now receive competitive salary structures, often comparable to those in other parts of the country.
In this context, a review of the continued applicability of blanket tax exemptions may be warranted from the perspective of equity and fiscal balance. While such exemptions may have originally been introduced to address developmental disparities, policies of this nature generally require periodic reassessment to ensure that they remain aligned with current socio-economic realities.
One possible approach could be to gradually rationalise the exemption framework, either by bringing such income within the normal taxation regime or by introducing calibrated measures that balance regional considerations with the principle of equitable tax contribution.
Tax concessions, by their nature, are typically intended as temporary policy instruments to achieve specific developmental objectives. Once those objectives are substantially met, a reassessment becomes appropriate.
Given that the North-Eastern region is an integral and rapidly developing part of the nation, policy measures should increasingly aim at integrating it within the broader national economic framework while ensuring balanced and inclusive growth.
