Topic-Role of civil services in a democracy.
2) Critically analyze whether the leadership role provided by IPS to CAPF should be abolished or curtailed at the very least?(250 words)
Why this question
The issue raised in the question has been brought to spotlight as a result of the recommendations of the rajya sabha committee which held that leadership positions currently reserved for the IPS in the CAPFs may be abolished outright, or at least severely curtailed. The issue needs to be debated in depth in context of the role of civil services in India.
Key demand of the question
The question expects us to first explain the issue. Thereafter, we need to give arguments both in favour of and against the issue raised in question and give a fair and balanced opinion based on arguments made.
Directive word
Critically analyze – When asked to analyze, you have to examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them as a whole in a summary. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, all you need to do is look at the good and bad of something and give a fair judgement.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Explain the leadership role provided by IPS to CAPF and why this issue is a matter of debate.
Body
- Give arguments in favour of IPS retaining leadership role in CAPF
- The idea that they are interlopers is patently absurd because they have been recruited to be posted to leadership positions in the central government. In fact, the states are always reluctant to spare IPS officers for central deputation.
- The second issue that merits attention is that police is in the state list of the Constitution. In peacetime, the CAPFs are primarily a reserve resource for supporting the state police forces. It is, therefore, necessary that their leadership is in complete synergy in understanding the challenges of policing at the state and central level.
- Courtesy their experience in policing roles the provide a humane touch to CAPF
- inter-departmental coordination between various CAPFS and State Police becomes smooth and seamless with the presence of IPS officers in every CAPF
- exposure, training and grooming of an IPS officer matches with the job requirements for the senior posts of CAPFs etc
- Give arguments against retaining the leadership role of IPS in CAPF
- parliamentary panel has recommended that the post of Director-General and other senior positions in Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) should not be reserved for Indian Police Service officers. The panel has suggested that the nature of duty of CAPF are more similar to that of the Armed Forces and it would make more sense to bring more officers from the Armed Forces on deputation
- Keeping in view the interest and morale of CAPF cadre etc
Conclusion – Based on arguments made above, give a fair and balanced opinion and discuss way forward.
