Shimla, Aug. 18 -- Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday said the state government has decided to reduce the sanctioned strength of the IAS cadre from 153 to 130, arguing that the state currently has more administrative officers than it needs.

Speaking with ANI in Shimla, Sukhu said the government has written to the Union government regarding the proposed reduction in the IAS cadre. He said his long-term view was to bring the cadre strength down further to around 110.

"There are 153 IAS officers in Himachal Pradesh, and there are many officers who are given small departments. Their talent also does not get fully utilised," Sukhu said.

The Chief Minister said the government was also working to reduce the stre...