Modi is serious about performance, compulsorily retires two IPS officers

The government recently compulsorily retired two IPS officers on the basis of a performance review required to be held at the end of 15 and 25 years of service under the All-India service rules. This came out as a strong message to bureaucrats who fail to perform well in their careers.

The two officers are Raj Kumar Dewangan from 1992 batch of Chhattisgarh cadre and Mayank Sheel Chohan from 1998 batch of AGMU cadre. They were found to have put in sub-optimal performance by the concerned state cadre on the basis of their service records, ACRs and assessment of their seniors.

The cadre-controlling authority of IPS officers , home ministry, approved the recommendation of the concerned state cadres to compulsorily retire them from service "in public interest".

"A notice has been served on them and as per rules, they were given three months salary along with compulsory retirement orders duly approved by appointments committee of Cabinet (ACC)," an officer told TOI.

The last time an IPS officer was 'compulsory retired' was nearly 10 to 15 years ago. It reportedly involved officers of Maharashtra cadre.

"It is technically not a punishment but merely an action taken to remove officers seen as deadwood by their respective cadres and the Centre for not being serious in discharge of their duties. The compulsorily retired officer gets all post-retirement benefits," an officer told TOI.

As per sources, two IAS officers were also compulsorily retired recently on the same grounds.

Alternatively, the Centre may ask state to conduct such a review at any time it deems fit in case such a review has not been held at 15 or 25 years of service.

As per rules, the bureaucrat found fit for compulsory retirement is either given at least three months notice in writing or three month's pay and allowances in lieu of such notice. The government, in the case of Dewangan and Chohan, opted for the latter.