TThe recent move by the government to add Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officers to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has led to some discontent within the ranks of the Indian Police Service (IPS). Traditionally, the CBI has been the stronghold of IPS officers or its cadre recruited at the level of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP). However, this reorganisation is aimed at harnessing the specialised expertise of IRS officers in tackling the rise in financial fraud cases.

Recently, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) appointed five IRS officers as Superintendent of Police (SP) in the CBI. These officers, drawn from the 2014 and 2016 batches, are expected to serve for five years. The government’s reasoning is clear: with the rise in economic crimes, the CBI needs personnel with an in-depth understanding of financial matters. The IRS officers, with their background in dealing with complex tax and financial issues, are seen as the right people for the challenge.

Moreover, the term of an IRS officer from the 2017 batch, Vijendra Kumar, who was already serving as Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in the CBI, was extended for another year. This move is a further indication of the government’s intention to integrate the expertise of the IRS into the activities of the CBI.

The move, however, has not gone down well with the IPS lobby, which sees it as an encroachment on its traditional domain. While protests of any kind are necessarily muted for the moment, DKB has heard some noises that indicate a growing concern that the IRS, which has already established a foothold in agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate and the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO), is now encroaching on the CBI. For the IPS, this shift could mean fewer opportunities with leading investigative agencies – a bitter pill to swallow for an agency that has long prided itself on its role in maintaining law and order.

Side entry gets full frontal recoil

The Centre’s decision to cancel advertisements for lateral entry of 45 officers at the level of Joint Secretary, Director and Deputy Secretary underscores the growing tension within the ruling coalition. Under pressure from allies such as the Janata Dal (United) and Lok Janshakti Party, and a renewed opposition, the government urged the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to withdraw the advertisement. The decision was prompted by concerns over reservation norms and the need to ensure social equity.

The lateral entry programme launched by the Modi government in 2018 was meant to bring private sector talent into government jobs. However, the initiative has faced significant challenges, particularly with regard to the lack of reservations for SC, ST and OBC communities. This issue has drawn criticism not only from the opposition but also from within the NDA itself. The first batch of lateral entrants, recruited in 2019, has seen several high-profile exits, raising doubts about the effectiveness of the programme. Despite these setbacks, five lateral entrants continue to serve, though the future of the programme remains uncertain.

With policies being rolled back quickly and swiftly, Modi may need to pause and reconsider the changing political landscape. In a coalition government, balancing the demands of allies while pushing through reforms is difficult, and recent events suggest Modi’s government is feeling the pinch.

Telangana police chief’s order sparks debate

A recent order issued by the Telangana DGP’s office has drawn criticism from several cadres. The directive instructs around 16 IPS officers, who are currently awaiting posting orders (APO), to sign in and out of an attendance register in the officer’s waiting room every day. They are also to be on standby for any urgent assignments from the DGP. The order has been met with surprise and disapproval, especially from IPS officers from other states.

Many see it not only as unprecedented but also detrimental to the morale and dignity of the officers involved. While adherence to rules is crucial, an overly bureaucratic approach can hamper problem-solving in complex situations, they say. The concern is that this new order signals a lack of trust, which could undermine the smooth functioning of the police force. However, it seems that the state DGP felt compelled to issue this order due to practical concerns. Reports suggest that many APO officers were staying in Hyderabad instead of their designated headquarters, leading to concerns about their availability for duty. While some believe that there were better ways to address this issue, such as advising officers to stay at the IPS guest house in Vijayawada, the approach taken has nevertheless drawn considerable criticism.

Dilip Cherian