DoP introduces time-bound promotion scheme for police personnel

GANGTOK, 17 July: There has been much consternation and dissatisfaction among members of the State Police service over promotions and while much of the dissent over this matter never spilled out into the open there was disgruntlement within the ranks over the issue of long pending promotions especially those in the lower ranks; the petition filed by Adup Tshering also added to the consternation. However, the State government, through the Department of Personnel, has now issued a scheme of time-bound promotion for those in the state police service from Constable to Assistant Sub Inspectors. 
As per the scheme, a Constable is to be promoted to the rank of Lance Naik on completion of 10 years of service; a Lance Naik will be accorded the rank of Naik on completion of 5 years of service and a Naik is to be promoted to the rank of Head Constable on completion of 5 years. On completion of 5 years, a Head Constable will be entitled to promotion to the rank of Assistant Sub Inspector.
Furthermore, and what should also bring cheer to the police ranks, these promotions up to the post of ASI will be on a time bound basis and not linked to any vacancy. Needless to add, most of the force in the lower ranks is pleased with the issuance of this order of the state government.
On the other hand the department has also notified the scales of pay to the members of the State Police Service as follows: a PI is entitled to Pay Band-2 of Rs. 9300-34800 & Grade Pay of Rs. 5000 as admissible to Under Secretary in the State Civil Service which is already availed by the Inspector of Police.
A DSP is entitled to Pay Band-2 of Rs. 9300-34800 & Grade Pay of Rs. 5400 which is already availed by the Deputy Superintendent of Police; ASPs are entitled to Pay Band-3 of Rs. 15600-39100 & Grade Pay of Rs. 6200 as admissible to Deputy Secretary in the State Civil Service which is already availed by the Additional Superintendent of Police; an SP is entitled to Pay Band-3 of Rs. 15600-39100 & Grade Pay of Rs. 7200 as admissible to Joint Secretary in the State Civil Service; SSPs are entitled to Pay Band-3 of Rs. 15600-39100 & Grade Pay of Rs. 8700 as admissible to Additional Secretary in the State Civil Service and officer in the rank of a DIG is entitled to Pay Band-4 of Rs. 37400-67000 & Grade Pay of Rs. 9000 as admissible to Special Secretary in the State Civil Service.