Chandigarh: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has asked the Haryana government to explain why 19 Indian Police Service (IPS) officers are posted in excess of the sanctioned quota for ex-cadre posts. According to the MHA, Haryana currently has 38 IPS officers on ex-cadre posts, while the sanctioned strength is only 19. This over-utilisation has left 24 cadre posts vacant, which the Centre sees as a violation of cadre norms.

Cadre posts are civil services positions approved and notified by the Centre for states every five years. In contrast, ex-cadre posts are temporary positions of the same rank created by state governments. The MHA contends that this practice disturbs the structure of the authorised strength across various ranks.

In a recent communication, the MHA highlighted that 64 IPS officers are currently serving on ex-cadre posts in Haryana, which exceeds the sanctioned strength by 45 officers. Haryana's cadre strength includes 79 posts.

The state has six Director General of Police (DGP)-rank officers (two on cadre and four on ex-cadre posts); 19 Additional Director General of Police (ADGP)-rank officers (six on cadre and 13 on ex-cadre posts); 27 Inspector General of Police (IGP)-rank officers (16 on cadre and 11 on ex-cadre posts); and 22 Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG)-rank officers (15 on cadre and seven on ex-cadre posts).

Haryana government officials argue that the state can create specific posts for certain periods and that no rules were violated in promoting IPS officers.

In January 2023, the MHA had already expressed concern over states exceeding the authorised strength of ex-cadre posts. The MHA stated that some states are keeping cadre posts vacant while utilising ex-cadre posts, which violates cadre norms and disrupts the authorised structure.

The ministry emphasised that the number of IPS officers in ex-cadre posts should not exceed the number of cadre posts at the DGP level without prior approval from the central government. The MHA has requested Haryana to provide details of all cadre officers in ex-cadre/temporary posts and to plan the cadre structure effectively with a five-year perspective. /BI