MUMBAI: The once-powerful Indian Police Service association seems to be heading towards a split. State police service (SPS) officers, who were inducted into the IPS, are planning to form a separate association as they feel they have been sidelined.
“We have been inducted into the IPS from the SPS, but we feel sidelined. The association has failed to address our grievances. We are in the process of meeting the chief minister and home minister to bring to their notice our grievances,” said a senior IPS officer who has been promoted from SPS.
But IPS association secretary P K Jain said it will not be possible for SPS officers to form an independent association. “Our association is recognized by the state government and there is no scope for another association. Their feeling of being sidelined is incorrect. In case they have grievances, the association will resolve them,” Jain told TOI.
The SPS officers have said that though been inducted into the IPS, the state government does not consider them as IPS members. There is a general feeling among the state police service officers that they are sidelined. They are very
are rarely considered for key assignments. We will apprise the DGP, chief minster and home minister about our issues,” said an SPS officer. In Maharashtra, of the sanctioned strength of 302 IPS officers, 161 are from IPS cadre, 76 from SPS and 65 posts are vacant.
At a recent IPS association meeting, a section of members felt that it was time to wind up the group due to lack of interest. “Against the 90 odd IPS officers in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane, less than 20 officers attended the meeting. If there is lack of interest, it will be better to wind up the association,” said an IPS officer. A senior office-bearer said the association should be pro-active in resolving the issues of officers.
“All collectors and chief executive officers of zilla parishads have powers to travel by air. But a superintendent of police has to obtain permission from the government. All should be treated on a par in such matters,” the office-bearer said.
On the issue of senior IPS officers having to report to juniors, he said, “It is bad administration. Recently, a senior IPS officer was reporting to some one who was seven batches junior. Such issues should be resolved at the time of postings,” he said.
“IPS officers should get a special allowance similar to the one that joint secretaries, secretaries, principal secretaries, additional chief secretaries and chief secretaries get,” he said.