NEW DELHI: In an unusual move, the Centre has “in public interest” compulsorily retired two senior IPS officers from service for non performance. The officers relieved from service include Rajkumar Dewangan (1992-batch, Chhattisgarh cadre) and Mayank Sheel Chohan (1998-batch, AGMU cadre).
The move came after routine review of performance that is conducted at the end of 15 years and 25 years of service under the service rules governing the All-India services like the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and Indian Forest Service (IFS). During review by the state cadres and on the basis of service records and Annual Confidential Reports, the two officers were found to have been performing sub-optimally after which the state Governments recommended their compulsory retirement to the Centre.
The Union Home Ministry (the cadre-controlling authority of IPS officers) approved the respective recommendation of the related state cadres to compulsorily retire them from service, official sources said.
Chohan, a Superintendent of Police (SP) rank officer is alleged to be in possession of disproportionate assets and remained absent from service without due authorisation during his tenure in Arunachal Pradesh.
Dewangana is an Inspector General of Police (IGP) rank officer who was facing a Departmental Enquiry (DE) in connection with a 1998 case relating to an incident of loot that occurred during his tenure as SP in Janjgir-Champa district of Chhattisgarh.
Premature retirement of IPS officers comes after almost two decades. The last time such an action was taken related to two officers of Maharashhtra cadre about 20 years back.
According to the rules for compulsory retirement, the officers were served notices, were given three months’ salary and compulsory retirement orders duly approved by the ACC (Appointments Committee of the Cabinet).
Compulsory retirement is not considered a punishment as per the rules and the affected officers will be entitled to post-retirement benefits including pension. According to the rules, when the Centre in consultation with the State Government decides to compulsorily retire an officer, he or she is either given at least three months’ notice in writing or three month's pay and allowances in lieu of such notice. In the case of Chohan and Dewangan, the Centre decided to pay them three months’ salary.
The compulsory retirement provision is mentioned under Rule 16 (3) of the All India Services (Death-cum-Retirement) Benefits Rules, 1958. The performance of an officer is reviewed after he or she completes 15 years of qualifying service or attains 25 years of service or attains 50 years of age. In the absence of such a review after 15 or 25 years or upon attainment of 50 years of service, the Centre may ask the State Government to conduct such a review of an officer at any time it deems fit.