The Indian Express: Chandigarh: Friday, 28 July 2023.
With a senior police officer alleging delay in supplying information regarding the creation of ex-cadre posts for Indian Police Service (IPS) officers in Haryana, the state home department has informed the State Information Commission that the file related to IPS officers’ cadre stands with Home Minister Anil Vij. However, the minister says the file to his office was sent just a day before the hearing before the panel on July 21.
Amid questions by critics in the police department over the promotions of a few IPS officers in Haryana, a senior police officer in May this year approached state public information officers (SPIOs) of the home department and the director general of police office, seeking information regarding ex-cadre posts in the ranks of SP, SSP, DIG and IGP. Ex-cadre posts are temporary posts of the same rank as cadre posts and are created by the state government.
Later, in his complaint to the information commission, the officer alleged that the SPIOs transferred his application among them instead of providing complete information. The police officer also alleged attempts to harass him by delay in supplying the information.
On the other hand, the SPIO of the state home department, in a written submission, informed the Commission that the relevant files stand with the home minister. During the case hearing before the Commission, the SPIO said: “The relevant case file has been submitted to the higher authorities…As soon as the competent authority takes the decision in the matter, requisite information will be provided to him (RTI applicant) accordingly.”
When contacted, Vij told The Indian Express the file was sent to his office just a day before the hearing on July 21. “I would have taken at least one day to see it. A day after it, I took action on my part,” Vij added. This file is related to the review of the strength and composition of the cadre of Haryana IPS officers.
According to the SPIO, the other relevant file related to “the promotions in the rank of DGP/ADGP in excess to the sanctioned posts” now stands with the district attorney of the home department.
He said: “…the relevant file is with the district attorney and has not been received (back) so far.” However, the RTI applicant police officer rebutted his version and said: “…SPIO has been saying this for the last six months.”
On perusal of the RTI application, the Commission observed that “the solicited information should be available on the records of the respondent public authority and needs to be furnished to the appellant”.
In his order on July 21, Information Commissioner S S Phulia also asked the SPIOs to furnish point-wise complete information to the police officer after obtaining it from the custodian of records within 15 days. Phulia warned them of penal action under section 20(1) of the RTI Act if they fail to comply with the orders of the Commission.
In his RTI application, the police officer sought information regarding IPS officers’ cadre posts (senior duty posts) and ex-cadre posts (state deputation reserve) apart from seeking government orders regarding the creation of ex-cadre posts.
Critics in the police department have been alleging an “excess” in the number of ex-cadre posts of IPS officers in the state. They have also been raising questions over the promotions of a few IPS officers stating the same was done despite the “non-availability of sufficient vacancies across the ranks.”
On its part, the government has been claiming that the state can create particular posts for a specific period, and no rule was violated in the promotions of IPS officers. Justifying the promotions of the IPS officers, the state home department had earlier stated the screening committee makes its recommendation to the state government after examining their service records and considering their service duration.
With a senior police officer alleging delay in supplying information regarding the creation of ex-cadre posts for Indian Police Service (IPS) officers in Haryana, the state home department has informed the State Information Commission that the file related to IPS officers’ cadre stands with Home Minister Anil Vij. However, the minister says the file to his office was sent just a day before the hearing before the panel on July 21.
Amid questions by critics in the police department over the promotions of a few IPS officers in Haryana, a senior police officer in May this year approached state public information officers (SPIOs) of the home department and the director general of police office, seeking information regarding ex-cadre posts in the ranks of SP, SSP, DIG and IGP. Ex-cadre posts are temporary posts of the same rank as cadre posts and are created by the state government.
Later, in his complaint to the information commission, the officer alleged that the SPIOs transferred his application among them instead of providing complete information. The police officer also alleged attempts to harass him by delay in supplying the information.
On the other hand, the SPIO of the state home department, in a written submission, informed the Commission that the relevant files stand with the home minister. During the case hearing before the Commission, the SPIO said: “The relevant case file has been submitted to the higher authorities…As soon as the competent authority takes the decision in the matter, requisite information will be provided to him (RTI applicant) accordingly.”
When contacted, Vij told The Indian Express the file was sent to his office just a day before the hearing on July 21. “I would have taken at least one day to see it. A day after it, I took action on my part,” Vij added. This file is related to the review of the strength and composition of the cadre of Haryana IPS officers.
According to the SPIO, the other relevant file related to “the promotions in the rank of DGP/ADGP in excess to the sanctioned posts” now stands with the district attorney of the home department.
He said: “…the relevant file is with the district attorney and has not been received (back) so far.” However, the RTI applicant police officer rebutted his version and said: “…SPIO has been saying this for the last six months.”
On perusal of the RTI application, the Commission observed that “the solicited information should be available on the records of the respondent public authority and needs to be furnished to the appellant”.
In his order on July 21, Information Commissioner S S Phulia also asked the SPIOs to furnish point-wise complete information to the police officer after obtaining it from the custodian of records within 15 days. Phulia warned them of penal action under section 20(1) of the RTI Act if they fail to comply with the orders of the Commission.
In his RTI application, the police officer sought information regarding IPS officers’ cadre posts (senior duty posts) and ex-cadre posts (state deputation reserve) apart from seeking government orders regarding the creation of ex-cadre posts.
Critics in the police department have been alleging an “excess” in the number of ex-cadre posts of IPS officers in the state. They have also been raising questions over the promotions of a few IPS officers stating the same was done despite the “non-availability of sufficient vacancies across the ranks.”
On its part, the government has been claiming that the state can create particular posts for a specific period, and no rule was violated in the promotions of IPS officers. Justifying the promotions of the IPS officers, the state home department had earlier stated the screening committee makes its recommendation to the state government after examining their service records and considering their service duration.
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