Himachal IAS and IPS associations raises Red Flag over minister’s comments on non-local officers
Photo used for indicative purpose only. Source: Internet
Shimla, Jan 14,
The Indian Police Services Association (Himachal Pradesh) and the Himachal Pradesh IAS Officers’ Association have jointly raised serious concerns over recent public remarks made by Public Works and Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh, warning that statements singling out officers on the basis of their state of origin risk undermining morale, neutrality and institutional cohesion within the civil services.
In a resolution adopted unanimously on Tuesday, the IPS Association said the minister’s comments — widely reported in the media — questioning the role and commitment of officers from outside Himachal Pradesh were factually incorrect, demoralising and detrimental to the harmonious functioning of the administration.
Placing its views on record, the IPS Association underlined that the All India Services are constitutional institutions, created to strengthen national unity and provide impartial, professional and integrated administration across the country. It asserted that IPS officers, irrespective of cadre origin or place of birth, serve the people of Himachal Pradesh with equal commitment, integrity and devotion.
The resolution cautioned that public statements which directly or indirectly question the intent, legitimacy or commitment of officers on the basis of regional origin weaken institutional cohesion, damage morale within the police service and have the potential to adversely affect public governance and service delivery.
Echoing these concerns, the Himachal Pradesh IAS Officers’ Association, in a separate public statement issued from the state secretariat, said it viewed the minister’s remarks with “deep concern”. The IAS Association noted that while elected representatives are entitled to hold opinions and seek accountability in governance, public comments singling out officers based on their state of origin are inappropriate and risk avoidable harm to the morale and neutrality of the civil services.
The IAS Association emphasised that officers serving in Himachal Pradesh — whether natives of the state or allotted from other states — are members of the constitutionally created All India Services, whose foremost duty is to serve impartially, faithfully implement government policies and uphold the rule of law. It pointed out that postings and cadre allocations are governed by established constitutional and statutory mechanisms involving the Centre, and are not matters of personal choice.
The statement further warned that attributing administrative shortcomings to the regional origin of officers undermines the foundational spirit of the All India Services, envisaged to promote national unity, administrative impartiality and cooperative federalism. Such generalisations, it said, could erode public confidence in institutions and adversely impact effective administration and service delivery.
Both associations urged the state government to take serious note of the issue, ensure that such remarks are not repeated in future, and issue guidance at the highest level so that public discourse remains focused on policies and outcomes rather than the personal or regional backgrounds of officers.
Reaffirming their commitment, the IPS and IAS associations said their members would continue to serve Himachal Pradesh and its people with full dedication, professional integrity and constitutional loyalty, while maintaining cooperative and constructive working relations with the elected executive.
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