Chandigarh: The Nayab Singh Saini government in Haryana has transferred two senior IPS officers—Navdeep Singh Virk (IPS:1994:HR) and Kala Ramachandran (IPS:1994:HR)—from positions traditionally held by IAS officers back to mainstream policing.
Virk was serving as Principal Secretary, Sports, while Ramachandran was posted as Principal Secretary, Heritage and Tourism. Both positions are considered IAS cadre posts, and their occupation by IPS officers had been a source of tension between the two All India Services (AIS) cadres in the state.
Restoring the IAS-IPS Balance
This move is widely seen as an effort to restore balance between IAS and IPS officers in Haryana, tilting power back in favor of the IAS lobby. The IAS cadre has long opposed the posting of non-IAS officers to these designated positions.
Officials suggest the decision has significant implications for nearly half a dozen other non-IAS officers currently occupying IAS-cadre positions in the state, creating unease about the continuity of such postings.
Historical Context: The IAS-IPS Cold War
The struggle over IAS-designated cadre posts in Haryana has a long history:
- During Manohar Lal Khattar’s regime, IPS officer Shatrujeet Kapoor (IPS:1990:HR) was appointed chairman of Haryana’s power utilities, a post traditionally reserved for IAS officers.
- The decision sparked controversy, highlighting the “cold war” between IAS and IPS officers over cadre posts.
In 2021, former Home Minister Anil Vij and Chief Secretary Vijai Vardhan objected to postings of non-IAS officers to IAS positions, citing IAS Cadre Rules. The matter even required Centre intervention after nine non-IAS officers were found deputed to IAS posts.
Despite the controversies, the BJP government has consistently maintained that posting of AIS officers remains the prerogative of the ruling government.
Impact and Political Significance
The transfer of Virk and Ramachandran is seen as:
- A symbolic victory for the IAS lobby
- A message that the state government is sensitive to cadre conventions
A potential precedent affecting future postings of IPS, IFS, and IRS officers to IAS-designated positions
The move could also reduce friction between AIS cadres while reaffirming the government’s authority in making posting decisions.
Read also: Haryana Government Sends DGP Panel to UPSC; IPS Shatrujeet Kapur Unlikely to Return as DGP
