The previous UPA II Government tinkered with the age-old basic recruitment policy for 50 per cent direct entry of Group A Gazetted officers into the central paramilitary forces (CPMF) by reducing the same to 35 per cent to the detriment of national security interests. The controversial move came at a time when the challenges on the internal security front are increasing by the day.
Till now, 50 per cent of the posts were filled up with direct entry quota and 50 per cent through promotions and limited departmental competitive examination.
Officers from direct and lateral entry provide a good mix of young and experienced hands in each battalion and help them in maintaining combative edge, cadre officials said adding any change in direct entry quota would seriously compromise operational profile of the paramilitary forces.
“The direct recruitment, seniority and lDCE quota in the rank of Assistant Commandant may be revised to 35: 35:30 against the existing quota of 50:33:17. However, the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi should be apprised of this before necessary steps are taken for carrying out amendment in the existing RRs (Recruitment Rules) as per the above decision,” the minutes of the February 24 meeting chaired by Union Home Secretary Anil Goswami said.
Interestingly, the minutes of the meeting dated February 24, 2014 were issued on April 9 and mentions the High Court order of March 14 restraining any adverse changes in the recruitment rules for the Assistant Commandants.
In its order issued on March 14, the high court said, “..if any final decision is sought to be taken in respect of the amendment of the RRs regarding reduction in direct recruitment quota in the rank of Assistant Commandant, the same shall not be taken without first apprising this court.”
The controversial decision was taken despite a restraint order from Delhi High Court. The NDA Government is likely to review the controversial order that is yet to be notified.
Retired cadre officials said the decision was taken to deny the Group A Gazetted officers the status of organised service and related benefits like non-functional upgradation for which over half a dozen writs are pending in the HC. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) had accorded the status of organised service way back in 1986 but successive Governments have failed to notify it ostensibly due to the combined clout of the IAS and IPS officials. The cadre officials are not even allowed to form associations and their service conditions and professional interests are compromised at the hands of vested interests of the all India services.
Retired Inspector General of BSF MS Malhi said, “The decision is a recipe for disaster as it would adversely impact the operational profile of the paramilitary forces. Even with the 50 per cent quota of direct recruitment of Assistant Commandants, there is always a dearth of young company commanders who are supposed to undertake tough duties at the cutting edge of the forces.”
Retired Inspector General of CRPF VPS Pawar who has filed a writ petition seeking grant of organised cadre status to cadre officers and related benefits said, “The decision has been taken by the IPS and IAS officers without consulting the cadre officers. The IAS and IPS lobby wants to deny the organised service status to the cadre officers by reducing the 50 per cent direct entry quota, a basic requirement for any organised service.”
Pawar also said the IAS and IPS lobby is seeking to deny the due of the cadre officers as they apprehend that the Group A officers will compete with them for Central staffing requirements when granted the status of organised service.
Paramilitary forces like the CRPF, ITBP, BSF and SSB are deployed for sensitive border guarding responsibilities along the borders with China, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan and other important internal security duties.