Dantewada Massacre: Opposition to Induction of SSC Officers

Induction of SSC officers was bound to be opposed both by the political leadership and CPO. Political leadership has already politicised CPO to the extent that the officers have been rendered spineless. They do the bidding of their political masters without a whimper of protest. Politicians fear that SSC officers may not toe their line. Having served in an apolitical environment they may resist political pressures.

On the other hand, officer cadre in CPO resents induction of ex-service officers for the following reasons:

Due to their better training and experience, they make police officers feel inferior and ill-equipped. This sense of inadequacy results in petty groupism and jealousies.

SSC officers are liked by the rank and file due to their better man-management skills and empathy for subordinates.

SSC officers pose a threat to their advancement in career because of better professional proficiency, physical fitness and operational acumen.

Resistance to Side-stepping of Ex-servicemen
As regards side-stepping of ex-servicemen into CPO, resistance appears to be on the following grounds:

CPO are considered personal fiefdoms of political leaders and bureaucrats of MHA. Any policy that appears to be diluting their absolute control is perceived as an unacceptable threat.

Recruitment to CPO is a highly lucrative activity with political patronage playing an important role. Lateral induction would halt it totally.

Military training makes ex-servicemen averse to carrying out chores which are routine in CPO. Additionally, military culture imbibed by soldiers inhibits their use for partisan purposes.

Conclusion
Opposition from MHA was on expected lines. However, what came as a big shock was total indifference displayed by MoD as well. Inability of MoD to force MHA to accept induction into CPO is understandable. However, DCO are directly under MoD. It could have made a beginning and set an example by admitting ex-servicemen in DCO. But then, MoD has always been more interested in ‘keeping the armed forces in their place’ rather than looking after their welfare. It is incongruous that MoD wants other organisations (including private sector) to provide employment to ex-servicemen but refuses to accept them in organisations under its own direct control.

In view of the new threats emerging, there is an emergent need to improve the quality of CPO. Induction of ex-servicemen, both at officer and subordinate levels, with long experience of fighting terrorism and insurgency will prove to be of immense value to CPO. It will also bring in much-needed professionalism.

As is obvious, the scheme has been rejected to protect fiefdoms. As lateral induction is construed as a threat, the decision makers are not ready to consider it seriously. No reasons have been made public for its rejection. Selfishness has been the bane of Indian governance. Every proposal is evaluated on the basis of personal benefits accruing to the decision makers. National interests mean little. Subordination of personal interests to national interests requires rare vision and altruism. It is not a trait which is prevalent amongst India’s governing authorities. It is time political leaders and bureaucrats rise above narrow partisan outlook to prove their concern for national security. Proposal mooted by CPC must be implemented without dilution and delay.
Read the full article: LATERAL INDUCTION OF EX-SERVICEMEN
Major General Mrinal Suman, AVSM, VSM, PhD (Retd)