Too late, if not too little!

After a long wait, the Department has this time, at least, shown some positive signs for improving the career prospects of IP cadre by signaling through the meetings of cadre restructuring committee that 500 posts of ASPs could be upgraded to PS Gr.B cadre for creating more promotional avenues for IP cadre. Well, the proposal is no doubt good given the historical background that upgradtion of 248 posts to PS Gr.B cadre initiated in 1989 through  2^nd cadre review did not see the light of the day. But there is nothing to be cheered about. At present an IP gets regular promotion to PS Gr.B through DPC nomination not before 23 years of service in IP cadre( as observed from the fact that IPs of 1988 Batch have started getting nomination to PS Gr.B cadre this year only). The proposed upgradation of 500 posts of ASPs to PS Gr.B cadre will certainly decrease the waiting time for getting promotion to PS Gr.B cadre through DPC to some extent. But its impact will be so minimal and ineffective that the real benefit cannot be realized practically.

It is a good sign that the Department has now in its mind to allow GP of Rs.4600/- to IPs at the initial stage, though merger of IP and ASP cadre with surrender of gazetted status of ASPs is a necessary condition.  The Govt. has now an obligation to carry out the orders of Hon’ble CAT, Ernakulam Bench for allowing GPof Rs.4600/- to IPs at the initial stage. Either way, grant of GP of Rs.4600/- to IPs at the initial stage is inescapable.  While applying the rules of MACPS, an IP with more that 20 years of service in IP cadre will get financial upgradtion to GP of Rs.5400/-. Almost all the ASPs who would be considered for promotion to the zone of promotion through the proposed upgradtion of 500 posts of ASPs to PS Gr.B cadre would certainly be at the stage with GP of Rs.5400/-.  If the Department actually implements the proposal of upgradation of 500 posts of ASPs to PS Gr.B cadre, all concerned ASPs having a GP of Rs.5400/- will get promotion to PS Gr.B cadre with a GP of Rs.4800/-!  It is for everybody to judge whether in terms of financial benefit it will be a promotion or a demotion! Had the Department implemented the 2^nd cadre review by upgrading 248 posts to PS Gr.B cadre in 1989, it would have brought some solace to Inspectorial staff by allowing some promotional benefit to IP line officials at the fag end of their service career. But hoping against hopes, many of them retired as ASPs. The proposal of upgradation of 500 posts of ASPs to PS Gr.B cadre has come at a time, when the charm and impact of promotion is neutralized on implementation of MACPS.  Who will need a promotion from GP of RS.5400/- as IP to GP of Rs.4800/- to PS Gr.B cadre these days, that too with risk and responsibility that Hercules alone can lift?  After all, the number of posts of IP line will remain static. As proposed, there will be some changes in designations only, without any financial benefit. If the Govt. is so magnanimous, it should think of upgrading some posts of PAs/ SAs to IP cadre by creating IP posts to look after technology and business development aspects so that Gr.C cadre can get some more promotional benefit and IP cadre will, at the same time, get some relaxation from the ever-increasing workload.

It is advisable that instead of laying stress on the so-called cadre restructuring of IP cadre, the AIAIASP should concentrate on implementation of orders of Hon’ble CAT, Ernakulam Bench to get GP of Rs.4600/- for IPs at the earliest. Upgradation of GP of IPs to Rs.4600/- will take care of most of the things that the IP cadre is now struggling to get.

Odisha Circle Branch of AIAIASP, as usual, will emphasize the need of getting GP of Rs.4600/- for IPs at any cost. Surrender of gazetted status of ASPs is a non-issue for all practical purposes. This is what Odisha Circle Branch of AIAIASP has been saying not now, but advocating consistently since last two years at every forum and every occasion.  There is no change in the views repeatedly expressed by AIAIASP, Odisha Circle Branch. It is expected that the CHQ will move in the direction of getting enhanced GP of IPs as fast as possible.

B B Mohanty

Circle Secretary

AIAIASP, Odisha Circle Branch

Bhubaneswar 751001