Foresight the need of the hour, not the policy of appeasement
Good news. A decision is about to be taken for the merger of IP and ASP and to keep them in the Grade pay of Rs. 4600 and confer upon them Gazetted Status. A welcome move. Indeed, it will boost the morale of the cadre. But, what about the PSS Group ‘B’ cadre, which is already suffering from erosion of authority due to the ill-treatment in fixing their Grade pay and keeping them in Pay band -2.
Earlier, the PSS Group ‘B’ officer as Divisional Head is the disciplinary authority for minor penalties in respect of ASP and IPs. This was necessary to bring in order in the administration. After conferring Gazetted status, the disciplinary power has been given to the Director, and the SP, who was stripped of the disciplinary power could not get the things done. Now, the IP, after having been adorned with the Gazetted status, is answerable to the Director, who was the appellate authority earlier and not to the SP, who was the disciplinary authority.
Having striped of all power of control, how can the SP manage his division? It will give ample scope for potentially head strong people to defy the orders and instructions of the SP. Does the DOP want such a situation in the department, which is unable to ensure quality service despite launching of Project Arrow etc.
Where does the solution lie? Upgrade the status of the Divisional Head in Group ‘B’. Without up gradation of the status of the Divisional SP by granting them appropriate Grade pay, the merger is of little use for good administration. Already, the road is paved for the degeneration of the Divisional Authority, and of course the causality is not the Divisional Heads but service, efficient service to the people at large. Which way the DOP wants to go? What we need is loud thinking and foresight.
