State foresters on a treasure hunt

The IFS Association of Gujarat has been seeking at par pay scales and promotions as compared to other states for a long time, but has not received any response from the Gujarat government till now. This led them to file an RTI application in November 2008 to the General Administration Department (GAD), to which they have not received any reply yet.

H S Singh, the president of the Gujarat chapter of the IFS Association said: “The Sixth Pay Commission recommendation states that All Indian Services cadre should be promoted after two years. But in Gujarat, the IFS promotion is pending since 1983. The state of the Gujarat IFS services is worse compared to other states.”

In a recent cadre review of 199 IFS officers across Gujarat, it was found that stagnation has led to a loss of Rs 1,000 per month in their salaries, and loss of opportunities to apply for higher ranks on Central deputation.

The Gujarat IFS Association, in its review report categorically said: “With the state not following any rules or guidelines, and the Government of India confining itself to only issuance of guideline/rules rather than enforcing them, only God can help them (the IFS) now. Unfortunately, the state extends all and timely promotional avenues for the IAS cadre, but not for IFS officers, who get a ‘step motherly’ treatment at the hands of the IAS officers who happen to occupy all decisive positions in the state.”

During September, the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension Department of Personnel and Training had instructed the state government/Central ministries to provide revised pay structure to the members of the Indian Police Services (IPS) and the IFS with effect from January 2006.

The IFS officers have pointed out that IPS officers are getting promotions on time, while they are being neglected. Vinod Mall, IPS Association Secretary said: “Promotion is not a problem for IPS officers. As far as the Sixth Pay Commission is concerned, the IPS Association is very positive and has spoken to the Home Secretary and the Chief Secretary regarding the issue, and it can be easily sorted out.”

On the other hand, the IFS Association, Gujarat has sent several official communiqués to the Chief Minister’s Office, the Prime Minister’s Office and the Cabinet Secretary, but has not received any satisfactory reply, said Jagdish Prasad, IFS Association Secretary.

Prasad said: “Our pleas and requests have not been addressed. We are left with no other option but to approach the state authorities through the RTI Act.”

D Rajagopalan, Chief Secretary, Gujarat said, “It is the GAD which is responsible for implementing the Sixth Pay Commission recommendatations. You should ask them.”

The queries
* On what date did the Government of Gujarat receive a copy of the rules (about the Sixth Pay commission). Provide the copies of official noting of the same.
* What action has been taken so far to implement these rules? Kindly provide the copies of official noting for the same.
* What action has been initiated to implement rules with regards to the appointment of IFS officers whose promotions have been delayed by more than two years as compared to IAS officers of various pay grades on non-functional basis?
* Is there any provision in All India Service Rules, wherein the state government can differ, delay or reject the statutory orders issued by the Government of India with respect to service matters concerning All India Services?