Indian Police Service Association demands Pay Parity with IAS

IPS Association resolves to represent to the Government for due recognition of their services and regarding delays in resolving the service related issues The Indian Police Service (Central) Association held its Annual General Body Meeting in New Delhi which was attended by officers posted in the central government and representatives from the state associations. In the present scenario of grave internal security challenges threatening the stability and development of the country, officers reaffirmed their commitment to work with utmost sincerity and devotion in upholding rule of law and combating terrorism.

Along with issues of professional development, some other issues which included delay in granting inter All India services parity, and delays/denial of the recommended/entitled benefits were discussed. Quantum of pay is never a consideration for IPS officers, but they expect that their importance to the governance should not get undermined through lower emolument structure compared to others in the civil service. Being in the occupation of facing complex internal security and law enforcement challenges, IPS officers look forward to the government to take care of their legitimate needs, without any need for them to represent, so that they can work without distractions. The officers however have a genuine reason to feel concerned when delays in granting the recommended, and sometimes even the entitled, service benefits become too frequent which lead to accentuation of inter service disparities. When beneficiaries of such disparities occupy the role of advising the government, apprehensions of conflict of interest are bound to arise unless extra steps are taken to make the process transparent, time bound and objective.

The long standing demand for parity among All India Services was examined by the Seventh Pay commission chaired by Hon’ble Retired Supreme Court Judge. After extensive study and stakeholder consultations, in a majority opinion (barring lone dissenting voice of a member who is a retired IAS officer) the Commission acknowledged the importance and challenges of work performed by the IPS officers and recommended parity among services in the matters of pay, empanelment and opportunities to compete for senior positions. The principle of pay parity was subsequently endorsed by the cadre controlling authority - the Ministry of Home Affairs, and forwarded for final decision to the Department of Personnel where it is still pending without any indication of any forward movement. The Union Cabinet has instructed the concerned administrative departments to examine the other parity issues – yet there is no progress on that front.

The GBM therefore resolved to submit a memorandum to the government for early implementation of remaining recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission. Members of the service particularly the young officers of SP rank who form 52% of the officer strength, and who are holding sensitive assignments across the country, are anxiously looking forward to early, just and objective decision.

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Courtesy: Indian Police Service Association Facebook Page