22-Years On, Govt Still ‘Clueless’ About Promotion Of 1998-Batch Police Constables

Home Department writes to the Principal Accountant General for admissibility of the in-situ promotions, citing lack of clarity in the issue

K Koushal

Despite the passage of more than two long decades and submission of numerous representations, the Jammu and Kashmir government is still ‘clueless’ about promotion of 1998-batch police constables.

The height of mismanagement and unaccountability could be gauged from the fact that after 22-years, Home Department is writing to the office of Principal Accountant General, seeking clarification over the matter.

“We had lots of expectations from the new system, because from the past 22 years, our grievances failed to reach the deaf ears of those in power,” said a constable of 1998-batch on the condition of anonymity.

He stated that Jammu and Kashmir Executive Police batch-1998 of constables have not been granted in-situ promotion on the pretext of special placement which were granted to them in terms of various rules.

“The government is insensitive towards our grievances. They do not understand the gravity of the matter, because it is not affecting them,” rued the constable, adding that during the year 1998, the department granted special provision to them after rendering five years of satisfactory services from the date of initial appointment.

He further informed that during the year 2002 in terms of Rule 15 (d) of SRO 18 of 1998 dated 19/01/1998, their pay was fixed in the pay scale of 3050-4590, which raised Rs. 35 to matriculate constables and Rs. 25 to those who are under-matric.

“Our pay was fixed in terms of upgradation, but not promotion, as no promotional increment was granted to us at the time of granting special placement,” he said and added that however, the department did not grant in-situ promotion to them on the pretext that special placement which were granted to them in terms of Rule 15 (d) of SRO 18/1998 dated 19/01/1998 from date of their initial appointments as the special placement have been counted as promotion in contravention of rules governing the field.

Aggrieved constable also lamented that their junior batches has been given timely promotion.

“Our junior batches i.e. Executive Constables of Batch 2001 to 2011 have been given in-situ grade Promotion after completing nine years of their services in terms of SRO 14 of 1996 dated 15/01/1996,” he lamented and added that the government has been very harsh and unjust with them.

Another constable, wishing anonymity, told The Typewriter “We have filed countless representations with regard to grant of in-situ promotion in terms of SRO 14 of 1996 dated 15/01/1996 with OM No. A/29(96)-1034 dated 22/10/1999, as has been given to our counterparts which was due to us during the year 2007, but neither any clarification has been issued in this regard nor we have been granted in-situ promotion till date,” he said and added that in the meantime many of their batch-mates have attained martyrdom while performing duties.

He alleged that they have been tossed from pillar to post.

On 24/02/2020, a delegation of Selection Grade Constables of Executive batch-1998 met Financial Commissioner, Arun Mehta, during public grievance camp held at Banquet Hall, Srinagar and requested him to look into their long pending demands. “He assured that the matter will be resolved soon, but since then no significant development has been made,” said constable.

Aghast over the approach of seniors in the department and bureaucrats for creating undue hindrances, the constable said that despite repeated requests, the government failed to respect their martyrdom and sacrifices.

“Government officers are acting as if they are doing favour to us. It’s been seven months, since we met Arun Mehta, but till date neither any clarification has been issued nor any development with regard to the file has been shared with us,” he asserted and added those at the helm of affairs in government are witnessing their helplessness as a mute spectators and senior officers have been suitably benefited by suppressing their genuine demands.

Meanwhile, Financial Advisor and Chief Accounts Officer of Home Department, Manoj Gupta in a letter to Principal Accounts General has sought admissibility of in-situ promotion of the police constables of 1998-batch.

“It is to say that a number of Police Personnel have been granted higher pay scale after rendering 05 years of continuous service in terms of Rule 15(d) of SRO-18 of 1998 dated 19.01.1998. It has been observed that while granting 1st in-situ promotion to them, different yardsticks have been employed, viz in some cases, in-situ promotion has been granted after 09 years of service, in some cases the same has been granted after rendering 14 years of services,” reads the letter, adding that the 05 years period rendered initially has not been counted and in some instances the 1st in-situ promotion has been granted after 18 years of service as Rule 3(ii) (g) of SRO-14 of 1996 dated 15.01.1996, has been employed in such cases.

The letter reads, the pension cases of a large number of martyred/deceased Police Personnel are also pending for want of disposal due to the ambiguity surrounding the issue.

“The special dispensation was introduced vide SRO-18 of 1998 dated 19.01.1998, wherein Police constables were being initially appointed in the pay scale of Rs.2750-4400, and after rendering 05 years of service were being placed in the pay scale of Rs.3050-4910, however, vide SRO-27 of 2015 dated 22.01.2015, the dispensation was put to rest and the pay scale of Rs.3050- 4910 was notified to the applicable scale to the post of constable though prospectively,” reads the letter, adding that a large number of representation were received in the Department regarding the issue.

Financial Advisor further informed through the letter that PHQ, J&K vide letter dated 26.03.2019, has also sought the advice of the Administrative Department in the matter as the issue lacked clarity and subordinate formations of J&K Police were applying different yardsticks with regard to admissibility of 1st in-situ promotion in such cases.

He asked, “Whether Rule 3 (ii) (g) of SRO-14 of 1996 dated 15.01.1996, is applicable in respect of those constables who were granted higher scale of Rs.3050-4910 (pre-revised) after rendering 05 years of service in terms of Rule 15(d) of SRO-18 of 1998 dated 19.01.1998.”

Adding that if the aforesaid rule is not operative, when shall be the 1st Higher Standard Pay Scale granted to such constables in light of the fact that they have been granted higher scale in terms of Rule 15(d) of SRO-18 of 1998 dated 19.01.1998.

When contacted Inspector General of Police (IGP) Jammu and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, they were unable to comment on the matter.