CLOSE ON the heels of the Center sending a proposal to states to amend All India Service Rules that may permit it to name any IAS, IPS or IFoS officer on central deputation with or with out the state’s consent, the federal government has issued one other order on DIG- stage IPS officers that might not be palatable to the states.
In an order issued on February 10, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has mentioned that these IPS officers coming to the Center at DIG-level would now not be required to be empanelled at that stage with the Union authorities. The transfer is geared toward growing the pool of DIG-level IPS officers for central deputation within the backdrop of large vacancies in central police organizations (CPOs) and the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).
“The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the proposal of Ministry of Home Affairs for dispensing with the empanelment at the level of DIG with immediate effect and carrying out the corresponding stipulated amendments, in the existing IPS Tenure Policy,” the order mentioned.
High variety of vacancies
ALMOST 50% of all posts reserved for IPS officers at DIG-level on the Center are vacant, in response to knowledge sourced from varied CPOs and CAPFs. Against 252 sanctioned posts of DIGs for IPS, there are 118 vacancies. IPS officers have a quota of 40% in CPOs and CAPFs whereas remainder of the positions are crammed by pressure cadre officers.
According to earlier guidelines, a DIG-ranked IPS officer with minimal expertise of 14 years could possibly be deputed to the Center provided that the Union Home Secretary-led Police Establishment Board empanelled them as DIGs on the Centre. The board chooses the panel on the premise of officers’ profession and vigilance information.
Only Superintendent of Police-level officers don’t require empanelment on the Centre.
The new order adjustments that and makes the whole pool of DIG-level officers in a state eligible for central deputation. “Normally, no more than 30-40% officers from a batch get empanelled on the Centre. In case of DIGs, it lately crossed 50%. The new order, nevertheless, makes everybody eligible,” a senior authorities official mentioned.
Sources mentioned the officers would nonetheless must be placed on the provide listing for central deputation and states must relieve them earlier than they might be part of the Centre. However, if learn with the proposal made by the Center on deputation of IAS, IPS and IFoS officers lately, many states may even see it because the Centre’s try at pushing the envelope additional on growing its personal powers over officers serving within the states.
In December final yr and January this yr, the Center despatched a proposal to numerous states to amend All India Service Rules which might grant the Center powers to demand a sure quota of officers from the state for central deputation inside a stipulated time-frame. The proposal gave the Center powers to name any IAS officer on central deputation in “public interest” inside a stipulated time-frame and in case the state failed to alleviate the officer, he/she could be deemed relieved following the date mounted.
Most states have opposed the transfer. Opposition-ruled states have referred to as it an assault on the federal construction of the Constitution.
“Given that it [new order] comes close on the heels of the earlier proposal, some states may not like it although it is completely the Centre’s call whether to have empanelment requirement,” a senior IPS officer mentioned.
Sources in Ministry of Home Affairs mentioned the brand new order won’t infringe on state rights and has been introduced in to ease the choice course of and have extra DIG-level IPS officers on the Centre. “Because variety of DIGs is excessive, the empanelment course of had turn into cumbersome and it was taking as much as one yr to only full the method. At a time when vacancies at DIG-level are excessive, it was thought vital to hurry up the method,” an official mentioned.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
