Promotion in police ahead of election raises questions

In major promotions days before the 12th parliamentary election schedule is announced, the government has upgraded 329 police officers to the posts of additional deputy inspector general and superintendent of police on Monday and Tuesday.

Earlier in September, the Ministry of Public Administration promoted 221 deputy secretaries to the rank of joint secretary.

Earlier, 114 joint secretaries were promoted to additional secretaries in May.

A total of 152 SPs have been upgraded to additional DIGs. Of them, 140 have received supernumerary promotion and the other 12 got regular promotion.

The promotions were announced through two different home ministry orders signed by the senior assistant secretary on Monday.

On Tuesday, in two other different orders, a total of 177 additional superintendents of police have also been promoted to the rank of SP.

Experts observe that the government is attempting to garner support within the administration and police by giving promotions without creating new posts.

This, they say, is inconsistent with the government’s stated goal of reducing operating expenses.

They point out that the promotions will add to the government’s financial burden as they will require the payment of additional salaries and allowances.

In-situ promotions without merit will not improve the quality of administration.

Instead, it will increase the financial burden on the state exchequer. Moreover, if promoted officials are assigned to lower posts without any additional responsibilities, it will create an imbalance in the administration.

The current administrative structure is top-heavy, with too many people in senior positions and not enough people in lower positions.

The ideal administrative structure is pyramid-shaped, with a small number of people in senior positions and a larger number in lower positions.

In 2018, before the national election, the government promoted officials to senior posts, even though there were no vacant posts.

The promotion spree before the elections stated that another 2018-like election would be staged with the support of bureaucrats and police.

The ill motivation behind the promotion of loyal individuals is another step in politicising the bureaucracy.