Hyderabad: More IPS officers want empanelment

Hyderabad: At least a dozen IPS officers of the 1986 batch from across the country, who were neither empanelled as Director General or equivalent level at the Centre, are seeking a review of their individual cases from the ministry of home affairs. The culprit, they feel, is the 360 degree review — the appraisal system to assess the overall performance of All India Service officers. While some have already written to the MHA for review, many others are likely to follow suit.

According to the list released by the MHA, 10 IPS officers of the 1986 batch were empanelled to hold the posts of DG or equivalent at the Centre, while five officers from the same batch were empanelled to hold the posts of DG equivalent — something that came as a surprise to quite a few officers, who were looking forward to getting empanelled.

There are a total of 90 officers of the 1986 batch across the country. Many of them, who were eligible for empanelment could not find their names in the list approved by the Appoint-ments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Officers who intend to work at the Centre but are not empanelled as DGs or equivalent level will have to join the Central Government Organisa-tions at lower ranks.

Sources in the government told this newspaper that the 360 degree review of the 86 batch officers, conducted months ago, raised question marks about the overall performance of the officers. While the performances of a few officers were not satisfactory, there were a few whose integrity was questioned. In some cases, weak inter-personal relationships was also cited.

 “'The 360 review is a very rigorous exercise and though it is largely good for the All India Services, it has some drawbacks as well. For example, if any senior officer or peers are biased due to various reasons, then they may give a negative feedback to the 360 review committee and this is enough to hamper chances of empanelment,” a senior IPS officer said.

As part of the 360 review, the five member committee at the Centre makes calls to the officer's subordinates and peers and gets feedback about his professional performance, integrity, dedication, relationship with his subordinates and seniors among other parameters. The 360 degree feedback is then matched with the Performance Appraisal Report (PAR) after which the officer in question is promoted.

“There was one instance where a senior officer gave an adverse feedback just because he had an argument over an issue. But when rmance of the officer concerned,” another IPS officer said.

“There are officers who are seeking a review which will take a few months time. Based on another round of 360 degree review, and assessment of PAR, their individual cases will be reviewed,” a government official said without disclosing the names of the officers who have sought a review.

It was widely believed that Telangana DGP M Mahendar Reddy, also a 1986 batch IPS officer, would also be empanelled to hold DG or DG equivalent but his name was missing from the list released by MHA.

From the two Telugu states, V.S.K. Kaumudi of AP cadre was empanelled to hold DG and equivalent level posts and Mr Prabhakar Aloka has been empanelled to hold a DG equivalent level post. Newly-appointed National Police Academy director Abhay too has been empanelled as DG at the Centre.