If the Union government's move takes off to its logical conclusion,several thousand central government posts which have been lying vacant for five or more years will be abolished.

There were thousands of posts in the Union government department which have been lying vacant for more than five years,it is learnt. 

In fact,the government  has been planning to abolish all posts which have been lying vacant for more than five years.Now,it  has directed all ministries and departments to submit a comprehensive report on the matter.

In an office memorandum, the Union Finance Ministry said it had asked all ministries and departments to submit an action-taken report regarding abolition of posts vacant for more than five years.

'Some departments and ministries have responded' 'some, instead of providing a comprehensive report, have submitted the requisite information in piecemeal manner',said the memorandum.

It is learnt that  financial advisors and joint secretaries (administration) of all ministries/ departments have been requested to identify the posts which have been lying vacant for more than five years and submit a 'comprehensive report on abolition of such posts in main ministry and their respective subordinate organisations at the earliest', the office memorandum, dated January 16, 2018, said.

Following this, the Ministry of Home Affairs has directed all its additional secretaries, joint secretaries, chiefs of paramilitary forces and other attached organisations to submit comprehensive reports, a home ministry official today said.

According to a preliminary estimate, there are several thousand central government posts which are lying vacant for five or more years, the official said.