According to sources in the Government, a note to this effect has already been prepared and sent to the Prime Minister's Office by the Deputy Chairperson of the Planning Commission K C Pant. The note has recommended for an attractive VRS package for bureaucrats as well as weeding out of incompetent bureaucrats after they have attained 50 years of age.

The note has recommended for merger of several departments which are inter-related in nature so that it can be headed by a single Secretary instead of several at the moment. For instance, it has suggested that Planning Commission, Ministry of Programme Implementation and Department of Statistics can be merged into one and be headed by a single Secretary.

Since the note was prepared before the Vajpayee Government assumed office formally, itdid not take into account the creation of new ministries as well as several new departments which was done after the Government assumed office. However, sources said that this development will not derail the process of downsizing the Government since no fresh appointments have been made for the purpose. ``No officer has been upgraded for the purpose. It has been only reallocation amongst the existing resources,'' said a source.

Amongst the more radical reforms suggested by the Planning Commission which is sure to face resistance by the powerful lobby of bureaucrats in the country, is strict performance review of theirs once they have attained 50 years of age. The note has pointed that such a provision exists at present and what is required is strict implementation of it. It has suggested that those found unsuitable should be retired compulsorily. After compulsory retirement Government servants are entitled to pensionary and gratuity benefits. According to rules an officer is entitled to pensionarybenefits after having completed 20 years in service.

According to the Planning Commission blueprint, another option to downsize Government is to come out with an attractive VRS. It has suggested to allow the officers who opt for VRS to draw their salary till the age of retirement without any perks.