Revenue Deptt points out 'issues' with Police officers

(Published in The Hitavada CityLine on May 27, 2013)

Revenue Deptt identifies ‘issues’ with IPS officers

* Issues have been identified for DM, SP rank officers’ meeting to be chaired by Chief Minister soon
* SPs show disinterest in submitting suggestions for agenda of the meeting
* DMs want SPs to share ‘important information’ and ‘follow protocol’, and powers to write ‘Confidential Report’ of SPs

By Kartik Lokhande
After a long gap, considering certain ‘issues’ that cropped up between District Magistrate (DM) and Superintendent of Police (SP) rank officers, a State-level meeting of these officers is being called soon. Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan has taken the initiative to sort out the issues. However, despite reminders, SPs have shown disinterest in submitting suggestions for the meeting.
Sources said that Chavan has called the meeting against the backdrop of increasing number of problems cited by IPS and IAS officers in the State, while working with each other specially at district level. According to sources, major points to be discussed in the meeting have been classified broadly into seven heads -- administrative, functioning, training, new laws, protocol, manpower and equipment, and legal matters. As far as Nagpur Division is concerned, no SP has submitted suggestions for the meeting. Among DM also, Gadchiroli and Gondia Collectors have not submitted any suggestion.
B V Gopal Reddy, Divisional Commissioner, confirmed to ‘The Hitavada’ that such a meeting is being called by Chief Minister soon. However, he refused to comment on other details such as agenda and ‘issues’ to be discussed.
Sources at Mumbai told ‘The Hitavada’ that DM rank officers want to discuss some specific issues. In many district in Maharashtra, SP rank officers do not provide ‘all Intelligence inputs’ of importance to DM. Hence, DMs want it to be made mandatory for SPs to share important information with them. Further, DMs want further say in prison management. In Nagpur Division, example of two prisoners escaping Chandrapur Central Jail recently has been cited as a case highlighting need for better coordination between DM and SP. Besides, DMs want review of cases in which convicts have jumped parole, to be taken at their level.
DMs are learnt to have made certain observations regarding functioning also. Quoting provisions of Section 17, 18, and 46 of Mumbai Police Act, District Magistrates have sought methodology to be finalised at the level of the Government so that DMs are empowered to write ‘Confidential Report’ of SPs. The District Magistrates, in a brief prepared for the meeting, have pointed out that many a time, police officers ‘encroached upon’ the right to privacy of citizens in the name of surveillance. “If they want to collect information about citizens, they may use information collected for Aadhaar Card or other Government schemes,” the brief mentions.

‘Cops do not give due respect to magistrates’
In the brief prepared by Revenue Department for the meeting called by Chief Minister, District Magistrates have also made a common complaint that police officers did not give ‘deserving respect’ to executive magistrates. Besides, police officers also did not use ‘proper language’ while writing official letters to magistrates. In Wardha district, the Superintendent of Police there refused to accept letter from Additional District Magistrate, it is quoted in the brief note.
As far as protocol is concerned, SPs remained absent while receiving Guardian Minister of district at various places across Maharashtra. In a case, SP did not remain present to receive Chief Secretary. “Against this backdrop, it would be appropriate for the Government to issue necessary directions,” it has been requested. Some specific grievances of Revenue Department officials also have been highlighted in the note. Discontent prevailing amongst Tehsil Magistrate (Tehsildar) in Naxal-affected districts where magisterial powers have been vested in Sub-Divisional Police Officers has found a mention in the note.

‘Police officers file externment proposals under pressure’
In what could create ripples in police circles, Revenue Department has cited one instance of police officers ‘buckling under political pressure’ in its note prepared for the meeting. As per the note, in Ramtek sub-division, police officer there filed a proposal of externment considering ‘connections with a particular political party’. “When the proposal was rejected, complaint of the Sub-Divisional Officer concerned was lodged with Home Minister. During verification, it was found that the order passed by Sub-Divisional Officer was correct,” it is stated in the brief note. The case of Ramtek has been quoted only as an example and a general statement has been made that ‘Sub-Divisional Police Officers submit externment proposals under political pressure’. If the issue comes up for discussion in the meeting called by Chief Minister, it is likely to result in heated debate between Revenue Department and Home Department officers.