MHA retires Raj officer in ‘public interest’

Union home ministry has prematurely retired 1989-batch senior IPS officer Indu Kumar Bhushan in ‘public interest’.

Bhushan, who was without a posting, has been retired seven years ahead of his scheduled retirement.

The department of personnel and training last year reviewed the service of 21 IPS officers under the terms of rule 16 (3) of the All-India Services (deathcum-retirement benefits) 1958.

The Union home affairs ministry has, in a letter to the chief secretary, approved retention of 20 of the officers after service review.

“It is clarified that this ministry vide order of even number dated 29.03.2018 has retired Indu Kumar Bhushan, IPS (RJ: 1989) in public interest under Rule 16 (3) of All India Services (deathcum-retirement benefits) 1958,” the ministry said in a letter.

The premature retirement will not affect any of the post-retirement benefits of Bhushan, said Arvind Poswal, joint secretary, government of Rajasthan.

He however refused to comment on the premature retirement decision.

Bhushan has been placed on “awaiting posting order” five times in his 26-year service.

On the direction of the union personnel and training department, a committee headed by the chief secretary had reviewed the performance of 21 officers, who have completed 25 years service/ attained age of 50 years; 15 years of service and five years in IPS as on July 1, 2017.

The rule 16 (3) of All India Services (death-cum-retirement benefits) 1958 states that the Central government may, in consultation with the state government concerned, require a member of the service to retire from service in public interest after giving such member at least three month’s previous notice in writing or three month’s pay and allowances in lieu of such notice.

Sub-section (i): after the review, when such member completes 15 years of qualifying service; or (ii): after the review when such Member completes 25 years of qualifying service or attains the age of 50 years, as the case may be, or (iii): if the review referred to in (i) or (ii) above has not been conducted after the review of any other time as the Central Government deems fit in respect of such Member.

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