New Delhi: The Union home ministry has expressed concern at states allegedly not relieving Indian Police Service officers for Central deputation, The Hindu has reported.

In a letter to state governments, the home ministry has alleged that the former have been withdrawing the names of selected officers. It asked states to nominate an adequate number of IPS officers for Central deputation.

The home ministry said that it is the IPS officers who will be penalised for not joining Central roles within a month of their selection – "either on account of personal disinclination or on refusal by the concerned State Government to relieve the officer."

The Hindu report notes that the policy of debarring IPS officers for five years if they fail to join Central deputation is a long one.

IPS officers are hired by the Union Public Service Commission and deputed to state cadres. In early February, the number of vacancies for IPS officers' posts in 17 organisations under the control of the Union government was 220.

The ministry, in its letter, said states have been unmindful of the stipulation that 40% of state cadres must be earmarked for central deputation reserves or CDR.

“The CDR of each IPS cadre determines the extent to which the number of officers could be sent on deputation to Government of India. However, it has been the experience that the offer list of some States do not contain sufficient number of names vis-a-vis CDR utilization. Hence, States need to sponsor adequate number of officers so that posts reserved for IPS officers in Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs)/Central Police Organizations (CPOs) are manned by them,” the ministry said, according to the report.

The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.