New Delhi: In what is being seen as a partial implementation of the Supreme Court order granting better pay benefits to the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), the home ministry has decided to grant promotional benefits to just one rank of officers in the forces — directors or deputy secretaries.
This has led to widespread resentment among cadre officers of the CAPFs.
According to an office memorandum of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) dated 17 September, the director generals of the CRPF, BSF, ITPB and CISF have been asked to send proposals “for amending rules for incorporation of appropriate provisions, for grant of NFSG (Non-Functional Selection Grade), which will fall due in future”.
ThePrint approached home ministry spokesperson Vasudha Gupta for a comment via calls and messages, but there was no response till the time of publication. This report will be updated when she responds.
What is NFSG?
Under NFSG, once officers from a certain batch complete 13 years in service, and cannot be promoted due to fewer posts, 30 per cent of them are given non-functional promotion. This means while their work remains the same, technically, they have a higher rank and pay.
While the home ministry order, accessed by ThePrint, instructs the CAPFs to amend the rules to grant NFSG, it remains silent over the more controversial issue of Non-Functional Financial Upgradation (NFFU).
Also read: Relax rules for CAPF officers and give them pay parity with IPS, DoPT tells home ministry
Contempt of Supreme Court?
A senior CRPF officer, who did not wish to be named, said the government could soon be in contempt of the Supreme Court by not granting NFFU.
“At the behest of the IPS lobby, the government is adopting these dilly-dallying measures,” the officer said. “If you are issuing an order for updating rules, then why not send it for both NFSG and NFFU at once? Do they not realise that the government would be in contempt (of the Supreme Court) if NFFU is not granted in the next ten days?”
The Supreme Court had, in February 2019, extended the status of organised group ‘A’ services to the CAPF officers and granted them NFFU, thereby putting an end to their decade-long battle to attain parity in terms of pay and promotions with their IPS counterparts.
In July, the cabinet approved the extension of benefits of both NFFU and NFSG to the CAPFs. Yet, three months later, the government has not given the orders for implementation of NFFU, leading to massive discontent among the CAPF officers.
On 31 July, the SC had asked the government to expedite the process of granting better pay benefits and complete it within two months — a deadline which will lapse in ten days.
“This order has just caused more confusion because it only talks about one part of the judgment (NFSG), and not the other (NFFU)…There is some talk that they will go back to court to ask for an extension, but there is no clarity,” said a serving BSF officer who did not want to be identified.
“So, of course, it is leading to some degree of panic in the forces,” he added.
Amending the ‘rules’
The CRPF officer quoted above also asked why the memorandum just mentioned “amend the rules”. “Which rules are they talking about? Why are they not specifying Recruitment Rules?”
The revision of Recruitment Rules of the CAPFs is at the heart of the battle between the CAPFs and their IPS counterparts. While the CAPF officers believe that it is necessary to update their Recruitment Rules to get them in sync with their new organised Group A status, IPS officers believe doing so is not necessary.
According to CAPF officers, the revision of the Recruitment Rules would mean theirs becomes a closed service — meaning the deputation of IPS officers in their forces stops — which is something IPS officers vehemently oppose.
Also read: How one line in a Supreme Court order has led to a clash between IPS & CAPF officers
Infact they are the failures. Normally they compete for IAS. Once not in merit, there is no option with them except to join this. Where is the question of intelligentsia ?
If verdict of supreme court is not honored in true letter and spirit then who can guarantee the safeguard of constitution. The CAPF officers are sacrificing their social and family life working in most hostile parts of India . living 24*7 in semi built camps without basic amenities of modern day living having little or no modes of communication with their kith and kin , sacrificing most of the festivals and family/social functions and yet giving their optimum amid situation of highest risk quotient . Doesn’t this much suffice them to ask for timely career progression and matching pay benefits ? Given the present level of stagnation it would take an average 14 years to get first promotion for an assistant commandant directly recruited through UPSC . needless to say that his whole career would elapse serving within 2-3 ranks. Justice delayed is justice denied.
Ignorant Bhatala or whosoever you are..
Whatever you have written is seems to be churned out from your intelligencia.
The ICC announces its ICC ODI Team of the Year every year, recognising the top players in the format from around the world. This team doesn’t compete, but is rather exists as an honorary entity.
A cursory comparison between all such teams in the past decade and the corresponding World Cup winning teams will show you that never did more than 3-4 from the latter make it to the former. While winning a World Cup isn’t less of a laurel, it sure isn’t a fool-proof validation of one’s place in the present community of players.
Also, agree on the point that intelligence should carry a premium; but why shouldn’t the same premium be accorded to experience. Going solely by the former logic, how is it that IITians, IIM grads, CAs, etc. have a lesser claim to the top posts and why shouldn’t we open up full lateral entry for these people into our law and order machinery? Just ask around in the IPS cadre about their UPSC experiences and you’ll find many, who after making it to the IPS, couldn’t even clear the Prelims stage in their next attempt. Aren’t they then to be considered “unworthy”!
Intelligence alone doesn’t seem to have helped the caretakers of law and order in the states to set their house in order. One need only look at the examples of insurgency-hit states throughout India , as well as the low public confidence in policing in India. Isn’t it then a glaring indictment of the IPS officers in such states that Central forces led by presumably mediocre CAPF officers are now the mainstay and semblance of government authority in large swathes of such territories?!
As far as larger readings and broadened mental expanses are concerned, why is it that cadre officers are sidelined from going on sabbaticals while IPS officers go study in top national and international universities and enroll in premier fellowship programmes at the exchequer’s cost? Isn’t this a testimony to just how broad-visioned our IPS bosses are when it comes to furthering the skill sets of the junior CAPF cadre officers? You can’t expect someone to win a race or keep up with you when you give yourself a large headstart.
The long and short of it is, that a CAPF cadre officer aspires to be the best version of himself for his organisation, and not grow at the expense of it, like some deputationist. The CAPF cadre officers’ fight is not an aspiration for treatment at par with IPS officers, but rather to be justly declared as Organised Services.
Well said.
They are the failures. Normally they compete for IAS. Once not in merit, there is no option with them except to join this. Where is the question of intelligentsia ?
Mr Sanjiv Bhatla if you are so intelligent n having much knowledge than why you have not been selected as IAS…..though this statement doesn’t have any relevance but a reply to your question why CAPF officer not went for IPS first. Your ability and intelligence as Commander have been seen by this country many times..Those who are being thrown in their state cadres are coming here for enjoy the period and wait for the new government to come.Do you think Your ability as an intelligent and dynamic leader of police has done many miracles in ploicing of the nation ..a Big NO or you can ask any common citizen of this country You will get a reasonable and appropriate answer…..Recently one serving IPS was caught while copying in UPSC exam to get IAS…This is only one example what you given to the state. Please don’t give the crap of intelligence, human touch n good coordination with sister agencies….CAPF will do that all their Own…..Don’t destroy their system n Leave. Jai hind
If passing one exam is the criterion for judging one intelligence then one radha of UP had also cleared that exam and how competent he is everyone knows it. And he is not one example there are more.. How many kirti chakra… Shaurya chakra have been won by your bethern. Courage comes wid guts… Character and working on ground not by mugging few chapters.
I assure u all IPS are also not intelligent. Clearing UPSC CS is not guarantee of intelligence . Innovation and responsibility comes with authority.
Very true we don’t want to compare with IPS bcz they don’t do their own job just want to be treated like God in CAPF. Further as u said why didn’t they join the IPS in the first place? Same thing we all want to know if u are so interested in CAPF reform y not u all joined CAPF and started reform from company level, where Ur intellectual and operational efficiency utilised the most.
Plz examine the issue
Sanjiv, becoming IPS is end of it all? Thank God it isn’t. We are looking at the state police, such lows for IPS. Perceptually in leadership positions but no public trust. Failures at their primary duties. Remember Bengal police at the feet of CM, and innumerable examples. IPS want to come to CAPF to take the credit of the good work of officers and men of the force and pass it on as their own and become naxal expert without going on ground.
So chill!! CRPF, BSF are not the forces which can only run by studying Philosophy one has to be on the ground and perform. Although these forces do have these imported officer who have been prosecuting pickpockets, and other such crimes and then joining these specialised forces become experts in the problems facing the country like naxalism, border guarding although have never dealt with these issues throughout their career till then.
So its advisable that IPS do their primary job for which they are appointed and internal security is left for the domain expert that is CRPF and border guarding to BSF and all
Jai hind
This is a blatant attempt to sabotage a judicial right given by the SC of India and approved by Cabinet.
Ips association is trying all its might to get their deputation secured in CAPF which is already going to shun as OGAS status is and was ours.
Cadre officers have won and will get it implemented.
Rest assured.
This is a blatant attempt to sabotage a judicial right given to cadre officers. ips association is leaving no stone unturned to fructify their self centered motive deputation in CAPFs at heigher rank which kills cadre officers career progression.
The SC and cabinet have approved us the rightful OGAS and we will get it.
Mr Sanjiv Bhatla has very rightly said that there should not be any debate on the issue of professional competence of of the two category of officers. IPS officers are recruited to provide policing in states where as the CAPF deal with matters that are beyond the control of state Police, as and when requisitioned by the state concerned. The two areas are quite different from each other. It is absolutely imprudent to draw any comparison.
I assure u all IPS are also not intelligent. Clearing UPSC CS is not guarantee of intelligence . Innovation and responsibility comes with authority.
Very true we don’t want to compare with IPS bcz they don’t do their own job just want to be treated like God in CAPF. Further as u said why didn’t they join the IPS in the first place? Same thing we all want to know if u are so interested in CAPF reform y not u all joined CAPF and started reform from company level, where Ur intellectual and operational efficiency utilised the most.
Plz examine the issue
It is obviously true that BSF or CRPF officer are not equivalent to IPS in respect of their bookish knowledge, if they are so competent and potent ,
1. They should apply their knowledge in upgrading State Policing
2. Why can’t they do reform in state Police’s?
Why reluctance?
3. Why police is treated as mean in the eyes of common man?
And so many ques?
And as far as organisational/ground knowledge are concerned , CAPF officers are far far better than IPSs and they have better understanding of thier men bcz they have served and grown along with them..
If IPS has little understanding of their police men, state of Police men is not like this.
Plz don’t compare .. u are zero in ur state and CAPFs are hero on their own…
Parity of CRPF etc with IPS is a total humbug. In every walkoof life, reward is proportional to the difficulty of achieving. Is it as difficult to become a BSF or CRPF officer as to become one belonging to IPS?
Secondly, experience is not everything. Intelligence, in other words analytical skills, to be able to break new grounds when required, should carry a premium. Are all CRPF etc officers as intelligent as the IPS types?
Larger readings, from various fields of life, literature, economics, sociology, philosophy, world affairs etc broaden a person’s mental expanse which helps her or him in positions of authority. Are all BSF types as well-read as the IPS types?
The long and short of it is, if CRPF etc officers want to be treated at par with IPS, why didn’t they join the IPS in the first place?
There should not even be a debate on this subject. The confusion arises because politicians’ only aim, always, is to please everyone, to be able to win elections every time. They should have some charm and chutzpah like Nehru had to say a few things humanely but firmly.
धान की खेती मे गन्ना बो देना से चावल मे मिठास नही आयेगी उलटा धान की पैदावार का ही नुकसान होगा। इसलिए बुद्धिमानी तो इसी मे है कि दोनों की खेती ही अलग अलग की जाय, अलग-अलग पैदावार होगा, दोनों अपनी अपनी उपयोगिता साबित करेंगे। आप समझ रहे है ना कि हमने कोई गुस्ताखी नहीं की है संज्ञा आपको हमने गन्ने की ही दी है।
Dhanyavad, Sir ji
Sanjiv, becoming IPS is end of it all? Thank God it isn’t. We are looking at the state police, such lows for IPS. Perceptually in leadership positions but no public trust. Failures at their primary duties. Remember Bengal police at the feet of CM, and innumerable examples. IPS want to come to CAPF to take the credit of the good work of officers and men of the force and pass it on as their own and become naxal expert without going on ground.
So chill!! CRPF, BSF are not the forces which can only run by studying Philosophy one has to be on the ground and perform. Although these forces do have these imported officer who have been prosecuting pickpockets, and other such crimes and then joining these specialised forces become experts in the problems facing the country like naxalism, border guarding although have never dealt with these issues throughout their career till then.
So its advisable that IPS do their primary job for which they are appointed and internal security is left for the domain expert that is CRPF and border guarding to BSF and all
Jai hind
Abhinav, your mention of Naxalism completely changes the emphasis. Sorry, this aspect had slipped me while writing my first comment. In fact the CAPF officers should be seeking parity with ARMY OFFICERS, because in both there is a real risk of death. They shouldn’t compare themselves with police or IPS officers in the first place.
Just as Coast Guards, if they want to seek parity with something higher, should think of parity with Indian Navy, because here too there is a possibility of actual death in both cases. Coast Guards seeking parity with Merchant Navy will be meaningless! I hope you get my point more or less.
Right, IPS have different responsibilities from CAPF hence accordingly having authority too. And Both are from different different examination.
CAPFs has been lead by IPS for decades so why shouldn’t be they held responsible for the poor condition of CAPF. Today, if CAPF cadre is having worst infrastructure IPS should come forward to take responsibility for that too.
These basic and ground problems can be solved only if IPS start their deputation from ASSISTANT COMMANDANT in every CAPFs. It shouldn’t be like IPS will start in CAPF from IG/DIG onwards AND If IPS are not willing to join from basic ranks, they shouldn’t be allowed to join at IG/DIG level too.