Administrative officers oppose IFS men’s entry in their domain

The state has also appointed Indian Police Service (IPS) officials to certain administrative posts.

The issue prompted a heated debate at a recent meeting of the Himachal Pradesh IAS Officers Association with some officers conveying their strongest opposition to the move,which they believe would have dangerous consequences on their cadre strength.

With a cadre review of the IAS slated for next year,the Association fears that their strength will be reduced if the government continues to appoint IFS and IPS officers to posts that were earlier held by them. “ The Association really showed the courage to adopt a resolution on this and even discussed how a brilliant IAS officer Manisha Shridhar was also compelled to quit the services after being subjected to humiliations”,said an IAS officer.

Even after she (Manisha) had joined the duty after being served a charge-sheet ,the inquiry was put on hold eventually causing a demoralising affect on the officer,who chose to call it a day finally by taking voluntary retirement last month,sources said.

Last week,the HAS officers’ association also met Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal and expressed their concerns over career prospects taking a sharp dip over the last 10 months and claimed unfair treatment was being meted out to them whenever they raised their service issues with top bureaucratic heads.

In fact,earlier in July 2011,the Association had submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister opposing IFS and IPS officers taking over several administrative posts . “ With due regards it is submitted that HAS officers Association expressed its concern regarding the posting of IPS/IFS officers in large number against administrative posts.

This is highly improper and as the cadre review of IAS for HP is due in 2012 ,the HAS officers already facing stagnation on account of limited promotional avenues to IAS,and age restrictions,the move will adversely affect the cadre review”,reads the memorandum. Himachal Pradesh has a sanctioned strength of 129 officers.