State grants NOC, but stalls deputation of IFS officers

Nagpur: The state government has put on hold relieving of IFS officers from Maharashtra for central government deputation, even as one of the posts has gained significance due to the situation on Indo-China border.
The cadre strength of IFS in Maharashtra is 206, out of which 25 posts are meant for Central Deputation Reserve (CDR), which means 25 officers can apply for central posting anywhere in the country. Of this, seven posts are already occupied and 18 IFS officers can still apply.
However, the state government has put on hold relieving four IFS officers heading for deputation, even after granting NOC to the central government. Earlier, based on state’s NOC, the Centre’s Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) headed by the Prime Minister had cleared names of these officials.
One of the officials includes 1992 batch APCCF rank IFS officer Imtienla Ao, who is currently posted as chief general manager (CGM) with FDCM. Her posting as deputy director general (DDG) of forests, Shillong, was cleared by MoEFCC after Maharashtra government issued NOC on January 21. Based on this NOC, her posting order was issued on March 17 by the Centre, and state forest department was asked to relieve her immediately.
However, the forest ministry is not relieving her. The post of DDG in Shillong looks after forest clearances in seven states in north-east. It also includes forest clearances for roads by BRO on Indo-Tibetan and Indo-Myanmar borders.
This posting is especially crucial in the context of present tension between India and China, and the thrust of central government on accelerating crucial border road infrastructure for quick deployment of the Indian Army.
“At a time building border infra is critical, keeping post of DDG, Shillong, vacant is not in nation’s interest. Currently, the Shillong MoEFCC regional office is headless. Of the four IFS posts, only one has been filled,” officials from Shillong told TOI.
Sources close to forest minister Sanjay Rathod say, “The minister wants to know why IFS officials are moving out on deputation and don’t want to work in the state, especially after he took over. He is going to discuss the issue with PCCF (HoFF) and minimum number of officials will be allowed to go on deputation.”
The number of IFS officials proceeding on deputation is still within the prescribed limit of 25, said sources.