Implement cadre quota, say paramilitary forces’ officers

They demanded that at least those recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission which relate to the reservation of higher level posts for cadre officers in the CPMFs must be accepted and implemented by the Government.

The Sixth Pay Commission has recommended that at least 50 per cent of the IG level posts and all DIG level posts be reserved for officers from within the respective organisation.

As of now, a very small number of cadre officers occupy positions at DIG level and above, which are generally manned by IPS officers on deputation. There is no cadre officer at the level of Director General/Additional Director General level in any of these forces.

The CPMFs pointed out that of the total officer strength of 7,590, they only had 21 IG level and 119 DIG level officers.

In contrast, IPS officers, with a total strength of 3,088, occupy 564 IG level and 492 DIG level posts. In addition, 388 IPS officers hold DG/ADG rank which none of the cadre officers from the CPMFs have.

Their case got a boost with the recent interim judgment of the Agartala Bench of Gauhati High Court, which, listening to a similar plea from officers of BSF, directed the Home Ministry to review the existing system of promotion in the force.

The CPMFs are also demanding parity with the armed forces in terms of some allowances, arguing that they do an equally difficult job in the insurgency-hit and Naxalite-affected areas. Even for similar kind of work like border patrolling and fighting militants in Jammu and Kashmir, the armed forces get a better compensation, the CPMFs have pointed out.

Patil assures ‘balance’

Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil has assured the CPMFs that their grievances on the Sixth Pay Commission would be sympathetically looked into. Speaking at an investiture ceremony of the BSF, Patil said the Government would ensure that the balance in the pay structure of CPMFs with the armed forces or the civil services is altered to the detriment of CPMFs. “Our efforts would be to see that the situation that prevailed in the past is improved. It should not deteriorate,” he said.