CRPF Cadre Review Committee’s Composition Faces Internal Backlash

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has sparked internal controversy by including two Group B officers in a Cadre Review Committee tasked with evaluating the cadre review of Gazetted Group A executive officers. This decision, made under the direction of the Union Home Ministry and in compliance with a Supreme Court ruling, aims to address stagnation within the ranks and enhance operational efficiency.

The committee, led by Sandeep Khirwar, Additional Director General (Headquarters), is responsible for assessing the necessity and justification of posts according to guidelines from the Department of Personnel and Training. This review comes in response to a Supreme Court mandate applicable to all Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), emphasizing the need for systematic changes to improve promotion pathways and address long-standing issues of stagnation among higher-ranking officers.

On February 20, 2024, the CRPF issued directives for committee members to attend an upcoming meeting in person. This followed an earlier memorandum from February 4, which specified that both Inspector (General Duty) Saneesh Kumar and Inspector Amandeep Singh would participate in the review due to its implications for Group B cadre officers. They were tasked with preparing data and insights related to promotion and stagnation in their ranks.

The initial memorandum, dated January 9, 2024, had indicated that the review was exclusively focused on Group A executive officers. The inclusion of lower-ranking officers in a committee designed to assess higher ranks has raised concerns among some personnel, who view it as an unusual move that could disrupt the established command structure. Critics argue that the differing recruitment criteria and qualifications between Group A and Group B ranks render this inclusion problematic.

A senior official from the Department of Personnel and Training clarified that the review is intended to comply with Supreme Court directives aimed at alleviating stagnation among Group A officers within CAPFs. The official noted that enhancing upward mobility at the Group A level could potentially benefit subordinate ranks in the long run. Furthermore, the court’s instructions apply specifically to cadre officers, maintaining a distinct separation between the different ranks.

In a communication dated February 3, 2024, the Union Home Ministry reiterated the importance of submitting detailed cadre review proposals for Group A positions across various forces, including the CRPF, BSF, SSB, ITBP, CISF, and Assam Rifles. This directive highlights the need for prompt action, as the issue has drawn the attention of the courts and requires immediate resolution.

The debates surrounding the Cadre Review Committee’s composition reflect broader concerns about hierarchy and operational integrity within the CRPF. As discussions continue, the implications of these changes on the force’s structure and efficiency remain to be seen.