New rule for nonempanelled officers triggers row
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 vacancies 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, command 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.
The first sign of discontent within the ranks surfaced on Wednesday, when a serving lieutenant colonel sent an angry letter to Bathindabased HQs 10 Corps in which he rejected the new format, calling it “totally illegal and humiliating for the NE officers”.
A senior officer at the army headquarters said no change had been implemented in the appraisal form for NE officers, and the matter was only at “a proposal stage” currently.
“A final decision will be taken after getting feedback from everyone. Regular interaction between the staff and environment is usual,” he added.
He said under army chief General Bipin Rawat’s directions, the force is planning to improve the satisfaction levels of NE officers by sending them to United Nations peace missions and also giving them “high-value” appointments in the army HQs.
According to different estimates given by experts, only 20% to 35% of the number of lieutenant colonels considered for promotion make it to the rank of colonel due to the force’s pyramidical hierarchical structure.
THE CURRENT NUMBER
OF NONEMPANELLED OFFICERS IN THE ARMY COULD RANGE BETWEEN 5,000 AND 7,000 OUT OF ABOUT 48,000 OFFICERS
“We have also sought a report from the basic education department on how many teachers have resigned in the past one year,” he said.
He said FIR of fraud, forgery and impersonation should be registered against those whose documents are found fake during verification.
The IG said the role of some BSAs was also under the scanner for facilitating the teachers in either replacing their documents or resigning.
He said FIRs could be lodged against those shielding such teachers under Indian Penal Code sections 409 (criminal breach by public servant) and 217 (for public servant disobeying direction of law with intent to save person from punishment or property from forfeiture).