Ministry of External Affairs, South Block, New Delhi. (File Photo/PTI)
It seems all is not well within the Ministry of External Affairs being helmed by Sushma Swaraj as junior IFS officers have raised questions over recent appointments, promotions in the department. According to sources within the ministry, a few of the junior IFS officers are threatening to approach the court of law against the manner in which IFS B, who join service as assistants, are being inducted into IFS by the ministry.
Recent ambassadorial appointments for Venezuela, South Sudan, Suriname and Cuba have created a rift between between IFS and IFS B officers, reports said
The infighting among young IFS officers with IFS-B is not just limited to seniority but the differences are visible in day-to-day functioning as well, sources within the ministry said.
Thanks to an archaic rule granting 3 years ante-dating of seniority to IFS-B staff members, the Ministry of External Affairs allows IFS-B staff members, joining as assistants to graduate as IFS officers in 12 years. And this has now reportedly become a bone of contention between the two groups within the MEA.
Several MEA officials, who chose not to be named due to the sensitivity of the issue, pointed out that the current situation was a result of problems in cadre management over the years. Limited intake of IFS during 1999-2004 is also to be blamed for the controversy.
There has been no official word from the MEA over the controversy so far.