Government initiative aims to address stagnation
*Exercise launched, report anticipated by April
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Feb 23: In response to growing discontent among Jammu and Kashmir Police Services (JKPS) officers, the Government has established a high-powered committee tasked with increasing the number of IGP-equivalent positions from two to six, and DIG-equivalent positions from six to fourteen. This adjustment will allow the posting of JKPS officers without requiring their induction into the Indian Police Services (IPS).
The committee, which includes representatives from the Home Department of Jammu and Kashmir, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Police Headquarters, and the Finance and Law Departments of the Union Territory, is expected to deliver its recommendations by April.
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According to sources, the positions identified by the committee will be non-cadre, meaning they will not be occupied by IPS officers. The committee has been instructed to ensure that the posts are meaningful.
This initiative forms part of the JKPS cadre review proposal, as the Government and Police Headquarters are cognizant of the stagnation faced by JKPS officers, which has led to rising dissatisfaction and humorous commentary on social media.
Previously, the Police Department identified two IGP and six DIG positions for JKPS officers, out of which one IGP and four DIG posts have already been filled, pending official appointment orders from the Government.
“The Government now proposes to expand the IGP-equivalent positions to six and DIG-equivalent positions to fourteen to accommodate more JKPS officers,” sources stated, noting that this move aims to mitigate stagnation among JKPS officers, if only partially. Moreover, the Government intends to ensure a timely induction of JKPS officers into IPS by projecting vacancies to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
Potential positions equivalent to IGP being considered for JKPS officers include IGP Headquarters Armed Police, IG Litigation, IG Enforcement, IG Internal Vigilance and Audit, IGP Telecom, Director Cyber Security, and Director VIP Security.
At the DIG level, potential positions for JKPS officers include DIG Railways for Kashmir/Jammu, Secretary Road Safety Council, Additional Director of SKPA Udhampur, DIG Women Safety, Public Relations & Protocol, IR for Kashmir/Jammu, and a variety of other substantial roles within the Police Department.
Many of these positions are available for State/UT cadre officers in various states and Union Territories. Currently, only IPS officers are eligible for posts at the DIG level and above.
On January 20 this year, following months of deliberations, the Government promoted Suhail Munawar, a JKPS officer from the 1999 batch, to the rank equivalent to IGP, in addition to promoting four of his batchmates to DIG-equivalent roles, including Ramesh Kumar Angral, Mohd Arshad, Tahir Sajad Bhat, and Imtiyaz Hussain Mir.
According to the Jammu and Kashmir Police (Gazetted) Services Recruitment Rules, 2024, there are two IGP-equivalent and six DIG-equivalent positions earmarked for JKPS officers.
The identified IGP-equivalent roles include Commissioner Civil Military Liaison and Commissioner Investigations Human Rights, while the DIG-equivalent roles consist of Special Director in the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Director of Civil Defence and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) for Kashmir, and several others. The eligibility criteria for JKPS officers for these director-level postings is 18 years of service, while a minimum of 22 years is required for commissioner roles.
Sources indicate that posting orders for five JKPS officers, already cleared for appointments at the IGP and DIG-equivalent levels, are anticipated to be issued soon, as their promotions will create additional vacancies that must also be filled.
“This will trigger a reshuffle within the Police Department,” they added.
