Editorial
Promotion, the Police Way
THE home ministry seems to have assigned a new meaning to the very notion of 'promotion with retrospective effect' by upgrading 135 officials to assistant superintendent of police (ASP) with an order dated seven years back. Eighty-four of the 'newly-promoted' ASPs were made additional super of police in a matter of few days, 36 of them making it in only seven days. Conversely, 15 of the 38 officials who had actually proved their eligibility for senior posts through a Public Service Commission (PSC) aptitude test were simply denied promotion. Overall, despite there being regulations laid down by the state that require recommendations from the PSC and approval from the President for any promotion to take effect, the ministry appears to have followed its own procedure in this case. That's, however, not the end of the story. A similar aberration took place back in 1984 when the then Inspector General of Police (IGP) reportedly approved promotion to 300-plus posts of 'officiating ASPs'. Neither had he the authority to do that nor was there such position as 'officiating ASPs' in the police service. The matter was eventually taken to the higher court which nullified the posts.
Yet another administrative 'gimmick' has justifiably raised a few eyebrows. The ministry's reported insistence on pushing the matter through ignoring the standard procedure has led many to be convinced of a political motive behind the move. Allegations of favouritism, needless to say strictly on partisan consideration, have only lent credence to the view. Besides, there is the critical question of timing. With the opposition agitation set to heat up in the coming days, the ministry's sudden move has been interpreted by many as a confirmation of the government's inclination towards crushing any anti-government programmes.
A certain duality of standards in handling ruling and opposition politicians and activists has created a public perception of the police subserving the interest of the party in power. The promotion episode would only strengthen the distressing point of view. Therefore, the home ministry should immediately stop interfering with public service regulations as the establishment ministry gird up their loins against such things. Promotions should be the result of efficiency, not political manoeuvring.
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