New rule for nonempanelled officers triggers row

THE CURRENT NUMBER OF NONEMPANELLED OFFICERS IN THE ARMY COULD RANGE BETWEEN 5,000 AND 7,000 OUT OF ABOUT 48,000 OFFICERS

NEWDELHI: A new annual appraisal system proposed by the army for thousands of non-empanelled (NE) officers appears to have triggered a row, and the force could confront a growing chorus to reverse the controversial move, at least four officials familiar with the development said on the condition of anonymity.

NE officers are those who do not get promoted to the ‘select rank’ of colonel, mainly due to limited vacan- cies given the pyramid hierarchy of the army. Experts said their current number in the army could range between 5,000 and 7,000 out of a total of about 48,000 officers.

The proposed appraisal format was detailed in a letter dated October 17 by Military Secretary’s branch, IHD MOD (Army), that has been seen by Hindustan Times.

It has a separate form in the confidential report for NE officers, and it is on the basis of this assessment that they will be eligible for ‘timescale’ promotion to the rank of colonel, re-employment, com- mand of independent units, and deputation to public sector units, the Defence Research and Development Organisation, and other similar organisations.

As things stand, all NE officers are promoted to the rank of colonel after 26 years of service (timescale).

Empanelled officers, on the other hand, are usually promoted to full colonel in 15-16 years of service (select rank).

Grant of study leave and posting to Class A/B cities or choice postings will also depend on the assessment, which will not be shown to officers, says the letter, which was circulated to all the army commands for feedback to the Military Secretary’s branch next month.