DoPT to harmonize AIS in J&K, Ladakh: Dr Jitendra
Powers for extension at top level to go to Delhi
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Mar 8: The Central Government has decided to amend All India Services (AIS) Rules for Jammu and Kashmir withdrawing powers to grant 3-6 months extension to the Chief Secretary and fix ratio of IAS, IPS and IFoS officers to be posted in the Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh.
A formal order for amendment in the AIS Rules by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) is expected to be issued anytime, highly placed sources told the Excelsior.
As per details of amendments proposed by the DoPT and available with the Excelsior, the powers to grant extension to the Chief Secretary after the age of superannuation initially for a period of three months followed by another three months, will go to the DoPT instead of Jammu and Kashmir Government.
“If the UT Government has to grant extension to the Chief Secretary, it will not have the powers on its own but will have to refer the issue to the DoPT,” sources said, adding this is in line with the practice prevalent in other States and Union Territories of the country.
In fact, they said, all amendments proposed in the AIS Rules are aimed at bringing Jammu and Kashmir at par with rest of the country.
“The amendments are also in line with Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act 2019,” they added.
The DoPT has also decided to fix total number of AIS officers to be posted in the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The step is aimed at ensuring that there is no dispute between the two UTs on strength of officers till Ladakh gets its separate cadre as presently the officers of All India Services as well as local cadre like JKAS, JKPS and JKFS have also been posted to Ladakh from J&K.
According to new amendment, 10 IAS and IPS officers can be posted in Ladakh depending on their requirement while seven IFoS officers will be available for deputation to Ladakh, if required.
Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Incharge DoPT, Dr Jitendra Singh said the bifurcation of All India Services officers between the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh will harmonize the services in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in line with norms followed in rest of the country.
Presently, a number of IAS and IPS officers from erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir cadre, now merged into AGMUT, are posted in Ladakh. Apart from them, officers of Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Services and Jammu and Kashmir Police services besides others are also deputed to Ladakh on deputation basis.
Besides, several officers of All India Services from different States and Centre have also been posted on deputation in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh to overcome shortage of officers in the two Union Territories.
As against sanctioned strength of 137 IAS and 147 IPS officers in Jammu and Kashmir, only 60 and 64 officers respectively are in place including those on deputation to the Centre and Union Territory of Ladakh. The figures are apart from those who are on two to three years’ deputation to J&K and Ladakh to meet shortfall of the officers at top levels.
It may be mentioned here that the Central Government had already withdrawn Manmohan Singh-led UPA Government order under which Jammu and Kashmir had special provision of 50:50 officers in IPS, IFS and IFoS. As per this provision, out of total strength, 50 percent officers were direct IAS/IPS/IFoS officers while 50 percent were promoted from JKAS, JKPS and JKFS.
The Central Government had restored 67:33 ratio of the officers for All India Services and now 67 percent officers are direct recruits while 33 percent will come from promotion quota.
The 67:33 ratio was restored by the DoPT to bring Jammu and Kashmir at par with other States and Union Territories.
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