PESHAWAR, Oct 20: Every officer serving in Frontier province will have to meet ‘annual targets’ to qualify for promotion to the senior grades following an amendment in the annual confidential report (ACR).

A notification issued on Oct 13 to all the administrative heads of the departments, said that provincial government had decided to introduce the concept of objectives and achievable with effect from 2009.

According to the new policy, a separate proforma will be attached with the Performance Evaluation Reports (PERs) that will highlight the annual targets and achievement of a particular officer. This appraisal will be taken into account while promoting the said officer.

At the moment, performance of civil servants is evaluated in terms of the tasks executed but without reference to any set targets intended or proposed to be achieved during the calendar year, as the performance appraisal lacks an objective and precise appraisal against a fixed scale in the form to assigned objectives and targets.

As a result, the civil servants take their responsibilities complacently and lightly, developing a sense of apathy towards their job and its related responsibilities, which is “a serious concern for the government,” explains the notification.

The proforma has to be filled at the beginning of the year by the reporting officer and communicated to the officer reported upon. Both the officers would then meet mid-year to assess the achievements and progress.

Furthermore, at the end of year the reporting officer would give his assessment on the final progress achieved and both the reporting officer and the officer reported upon will avail equal opportunity to give reasons for shortfall. The progress made will be attached to the PER and it will become part of it, explains the notification.

This initiative will be applicable in the first phase to officers in the grade 18 and above of District Management Group, Provincial Civil Service, Provincial Management Service, Police Services of Pakistan, Provincial Police and allied services including Office Management Group etc at the disposable of the provincial government.

“This exercise will give a clear picture to the countersigning officer, whose opinion is final and overrides the grading of the reporting officer and will facilitate formation of clear opinion in support of the reporting officer or otherwise,” the notification added.

The NWFP government had already adopted federal government’s quantification of PERs and efficiency index for mandatory training and promotions of the civil servants, replacing the sole criteria of seniority-cum-fitness.

The comprehensive efficiency index covers an overall assessment of PERs of an officer, his qualities and output of work, moral and intellectual integrity.

Points from each category of PERs are calculated and it could be deducted in case of negative marks from the quantified score of the relevant grade, an official said and added: “The new changes will further reduce the chances of promotions for the officers of average performance.”