Bhubaneswar: Large-scale vacancy in IPS cadre strength in Odisha notwithstanding, at least 13 officers have evinced willingness for inclusion in the offer list of the ministry of home affairs (MHA). The police officers, who have proposed their names for central deputation, include three additional directors general (ADGs), one inspector general (IG), three deputy inspectors general (DIGs), five superintendents of police (SPs) and a deputy commissioner of police (DCP).Most of the IPS officers, who did not wish to be named or quoted, said they have applied for the central deputation as part of their career progression plan. “I have requested the state government to approve my application. Central deputation will give me new work experience (in any central security agencies like CBI, IB, NIA, RAW and MHA among others) and a wider exposure to national security aspects,” an SP said.The officers said they may lose the central empanelment status unless they serve at Centre for certain period in their career. Normal deputation tenure of SP and ADG is four years while it is five years for DIG and IG. There is no such stipulated tenure for a DG-ranked officer for central deputation.An official source said the process of considering the applications of the 13 officers is likely to be delayed due to ensuing elections and huge vacancy in IPS level in the state. “We have received the applications. Vacancy of IPS officers is a big worry for us. The government will scrutinize the names only after end of the elections,” a home department official told TOI.Against the sanctioned strength of 188 IPS officers, Odisha has only 116 officers. Of the 116 officers, 27 are already on central deputation. According to rules, the 188 sanctioned IPS posts should be filled up — 131 by regular recruits and 57 under the state promotion quota. Significantly, the 57 IPS posts, supposed to be filled up through state promotion quota, are currently vacant because no one from the state police is eligible for that.“We had requested the MHA to allocate at least 10 IPS officers annually to the state on the basis of civil services examinations of 2015, 2016 and 2017 each. But we were given only four or five per year,” a state home department officer said.“Against the backdrop of Left Wing Extremism and other crime concerns, we need more supervising police personnel (IPS officers). This is essential to maintain law and order as to ensure unhindered development activities across the state,” the officer added.

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