State not keeping deputation quota

By K.T. Sangameswaran

CHENNAI, JULY 30. Even as the controversy rages over the Centre's decision to transfer three Tamil Nadu cadre officers to the Cabinet Secretariat, the issue has brought into focus the ``low representation'' of police officers from the State on Central deputation.

Official sources say the total number of cadre posts in the State is 116. As per rules, from every State, 40 per cent of the total cadre strength is the ``general deputation reserve''. However, at present there are only about 25 officers on deputation to the Centre.

Usually officers who have been empanelled are sent to the Centre whenever there is a request seeking their services. Though this is the procedure, the Centre is fully empowered to transfer an IPS officer not only from the parent cadre to the Centre but also from one State to another as per the Indian Police Service (cadre) rules, 1954, explains a senior police officer.

``The deputation reserve quota is not adhered to by State Governments for reasons more than one'', he says. Usually, the State Government to which the request is addressed for sending an officer on deputation, relieves him so that he can take up the new assignment.

But there are also instances of the Centre's requests having been turned down on the ground that the services of the officers concerned are required for the State. Another reason which can be cited by any State Government is ``shortage of officers'', as the Tamil Nadu Government has done now.

The sources say that in the event of a State Government willing to relieve an officer on deputation and the officer pleading inability to take up the new job, he runs the risk of losing certain privileges.

As of now there are five DGPs, about 20 Additional Directors- General of Police and an equal number of Inspectors- General of Police in Tamil Nadu.

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Section  : Southern States
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