A Sub-Inspector (SI), inducted in the Delhi Police as a probationer SI way back in 1997, has not got his promotion even after serving the force for almost two decades.
This SI is not an exception of how men in khaki, who form the backbone of the 70,000 strong force, have not been given their due promotions for 18 to 20 years.
There are as many as 600 Sub-Inspectors who have been rotting in the force to get their promotion. The promotion of these Sub Inspectors is due despite rule books clearly stating that one should be promoted after six years in service.
In a letter to Police Commissioner Bhim Sen Bassi about 6,00-odd Sub-Inspectors have appealed to him to take up their matter on a priority before he retires on February 29. The main concern of these officials is that Delhi Police Commissioner is not implementing the promotion norms which were practiced by his predecessors.
One Sub-Inspector, who too has been in force since 1997, said he has been serving in the same rank despite having unblemished and excellent service record. “Irony of the whole system of the Delhi Police is that only the officials of the Sub-Inspector ranks who go through a tough competition are recruited by the SSC and also form the backbone of the investigation system are the worst sufferers.”
Another signatory to the letter said, “Sir, as per service rule book, a Sub-Inspector is entitled for next promotion after six years of service. But even after giving 18 precious years of our life we are still languishing in the same rank.”
The letter said, “Even a constable recruited by the Delhi Police has an opportunity to appear for departmental examination (Test of B1) and get himself/herself promoted by proving his/her mettle. Your good-self will certainly appreciate the fact that the officer who was working as head constable at the time of my induction in the Delhi Police is now enjoying the post of Sub-Inspector and rubbing his shoulders with us at same rank.”
Another example cited in the letter is that of Assistant Sub-Inspectors (Stenos) who were recruited in the year 1995, one rank below and junior to the Sub Inspectors, have already got two promotions and are enjoying the rank of Inspectors.
The letter added, “After completion of 18 years of service, almost 102 Sub-Inspectors of 1995 batch were fortunate enough to have got themselves upgraded by getting the status of looking after Inspectors vide order No. 32168-267/CBI dated 03.06.14. Such an obsessive condition not only leads to very intensive and painful frustration but also ensnares the minds with utter dissatisfaction and melancholy.”
Another Sub-Inspector said, “A person selected at the age of 21-25 in the rank of SI is destined to serve in the same rank for more than 18 years and during these years their offspring happen to attain the age of a youth. As such almost half of the precious years of his career are lost in the never-ending wait for next promotion.”