Angst over central order for NE officers

SHILLONG, Sep 26: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Monday said he will take up the Centre’s order withdrawing special benefits to All India Services (AIS) officers posted in the Northeastern states with the Union government.
The All Northeast Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and other associations are preparing to send representations to the Department of Personnel and Training (DOPT) for rescinding its order.
The DOPT had issued the order to all the state chief secretaries informing them that an additional 25% basic pay among other incentives granted to AIS officers posted in the region would be withdrawn with immediate effect.
Some of the AIS officers serving in the northeastern states have described the order as “insensitive and abrupt with no regard or consideration of suffering and challenges which AIS officers posted in the region face”.
Some reports quoted a few stating that the rank and file of officers in the Northeast is unhappy with the order.
According to the order, the additional monetary allowance introduced in 2009 for AIS officers comprising IAS, Indian Police Service and Indian Forest Service belonging to the Assam-Meghalaya joint cadre, Sikkim, Nagaland, Tripura and Manipur cadres has been discontinued.
The incentive of reimbursement of payable income tax to Tribal All India Service officers belonging to the Northeast cadres while on central deputation has also been withdrawn.