New Delhi, April 3: Member of Parliament from Baramulla, Engineer Rashid, raised concerns over the deputation system in central forces and called for greater recognition of local officers, while also highlighting prison conditions during a discussion in Parliament on Friday.
Speaking during a debate on a bill related to deputation in central forces, Rashid said he was participating under “special circumstances” due to his custody and used the opportunity to highlight both institutional issues and human experiences.
Rashid began by acknowledging officials involved in facilitating his appearance in Parliament from Tihar Jail. He expressed gratitude to Delhi Police personnel and their Commissioner Satish Golcha, as well as the CISF team led by Rahul Tripathi, stating that while they understood his situation, they were bound by duty. He also thanked the Speaker and parliamentary staff for enabling his participation.
Turning to the bill, Rashid said it deals with deputation of officers from forces such as the Border Security Force and Indo-Tibetan Border Police. He raised concerns that deputation often results in a lack of ownership and accountability, as officers may not feel fully connected to the departments they serve.
“Officers on deputation neither fully belong to the department nor feel responsible for its functioning, which affects efficiency,” Rashid said.
He added that while Indian Police Service officers are highly qualified, their expertise cannot replace the ground-level experience of personnel serving in border forces. He stressed that the practical knowledge of officers posted in challenging border areas must be recognised in policymaking.
Focusing on Jammu and Kashmir, Rashid highlighted the role of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, stating that the force has operated under difficult conditions for decades. He expressed concern that local officers, particularly from the KPS cadre, were being sidelined, while officers on deputation continued to occupy key positions.
He urged the government to ensure fair opportunities, timely promotions and due recognition for local officers.
Rashid also referred to past incidents such as the Pathribal and Machil cases, stressing that human rights must be upheld and that no institution is above the law.
In his concluding remarks, Rashid proposed that a delegation comprising politicians, bureaucrats and judges should undergo a short-term jail experience to better understand the realities faced by inmates.
He said such an initiative could help policymakers gain insight into the conditions and challenges within the prison system. [KNT]
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