Promotion for KAS officers reflects injustice meted with us: 2008 KPS batch

Bilal Bashir Bhat
Srinagar, April 25 (KNB): The 2008 Kashmir Police Service (KPS) batch officers while reacting to the granting of time-bound grade promotion for the Kashmir Administrative Officer (KAS) officers during a cabinet meet on Tuesday have alleged gross discrimination in terms of salaries and promotions with their counterpart.
They said ever since their appointment in 2008 their pay grade of Rs 4800 was never hiked nor any promotion was given compared to KAS.
A KPS officer while talking to Kashmir News Bureau, on condition of anonymity stated- “It will be great injustice with us. We have been sacrificing our life at the cost of our profession. No family life, no social life, bearing the brunt of stone pelters, anti national elements, anti-social elements and then discrimination at the hands of politicians and others.”
He said the 2008 KPS batch played an important role from time to time in maintaining law and order in Kashmir, he said in 2008, 2010, 2013 (at the time of Afzal Guru’s execution) and recently in 2016 agitation the 2008 KPS batch showed exemplary services, however, no hike in basic grade pay was given neither any promotion.
Another KPS officer on condition of anonymity said that government is avoiding the talent and hard work of the police officers. He said unlike KAS officers, the KPS officers have no union as unionism in Jammu Kashmir Police Department is banned. We don’t have any grudge with the KAS officers but we want government to adopt same yardstick for both the cadres,” he said.
Pertinently, the level of disparity between KAS and KPS officers can be gauged from the fact that SRO 386, which addresses all concerns of KAS officers, is not applicable to State Police (Gazetted) officers.
Pertinently, as per the decision taken on , a Junior KAS/feeding service officer in the pay band of Rs 9300-34800 with grade pay of Rs 4800 will be eligible for placement in scale of 15600-39100 + GP 6600. (Deputy Secretary level- non-functional scale after 10 years of service)
A Time Scale KAS officer with 4 years’ service in the Time Scale will be eligible for placement in the Selection Grade (non-functional) of Rs 15600-39100 with grade pay of Rs 7600.
A Time Scale KAS officer with 08 years of service in Time Scale may be considered for placement in Special Scale Rs 37400-67000 + GP Rs 8700 (non-functional). (KNB)