Moreover, in DRDAs where higher positions are understaffed, lower positions are overstaffed. And this is true of most across the country. Most states are overstaffed in the supporting staff category, which include drivers and typists, with the national average standing at 133 per cent staffing at Group-D levels. But positions involving decision-making responsibilities under the DRDA administration are hugely understaffed — the national average for Group A vacancies is an alarming 70 per cent.

Ministry officials agree that full administrative efficiency cannot be expected from the DRDAs which lack sufficient staff and manpower to oversee implementation of different programmes. But they say they have to implement all programmes under these constraints.

The Ministry has repeatedly asked state governments to fill these vacant posts to achieve effective implementation of anti-poverty programmes. In fact, the Ministry has even amended its guidelines for DRDAs, allowing state governments to fill DRDA posts by hiring technical professionals on contract basis. But state governments have been slow in making use of the amended guidelines for the benefit of their own people.