The central government has recently issued a fresh order regarding the central deputation of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) level Indian Police Service (IPS) officers. This new instruction claims that IPS officers would no longer need to be empanelled at the DIG level with the Union Government to be eligible for central deputation.
Background
Previously, a DIG-ranked IPS officer required at least 14 years of experience and empanelment by the Police Establishment Board as a DIG at the Centre. The empanelment was based on the officers’ career and vigilance records. Only Superintendent of Police-level officers were exempted from this empanelment. However, the new order now makes all DIG-level officers within a state eligible for a central deputation.
The New Order
Even though the new order has made the entire pool of DIG-level officers eligible for central deputation, it does not automatically allow them to be posted to the Centre. The officers still need to be put on an offer list for central deputation, which is decided in consultation by the states and the Centre.
Rationale Behind the Order
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has explained that the move aims to increase the pool of DIG-level IPS officers for central deputation. This comes in the wake of numerous vacancies within Central Police Organisations (CPOs) and the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). Almost half of the 252 posts reserved for IPS officers at the DIG level at the Centre remain vacant. The order also seeks to increase the Centre’s pool of available officers.
States’ Concerns
However, the newly issued order has raised concerns among many states, who perceive it as the Centre’s attempt to increase its powers over the officers serving in the states. This move is seen as contrary to the spirit of cooperative federalism, potentially weakening a state’s political control over bureaucracy and affecting effective governance.
All India Services (AIS)
The All India Services (AIS) comprises the three main civil services of India: Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Forest Service (IFoS). Although AIS officers are recruited by the Union Government and their services are allocated under various State Cadres, the cadre-controlling authority of all AIS is the Union Government.
Deputation of AIS Officers
In the usual practice, every year the Centre seeks an offer list of officers from the All India Services who are willing to go on central deputation. After receiving the list, the Centre then selects from it the officers for central deputation. However, the officers need a clearance, a no-objection from their respective State government. The state cannot depute more than 40% of its total cadre strength at any point.