Clarification on speculative reports on promotion matters

It has come to our notice that a few speculative reports have been published in a section of the media on the matter of seeking relaxation in the age criteria, as prescribed in Rule 14(4) of the Tripura Police Service Rules, 1967, to allow several Inspectors of Tripura Police, who are older than 55 years as on 1st January 2021, to be considered for ad-hoc promotion to the rank of TPS Grade-II.

2 This is to clarify that the Rule 14 of the TPS Rules prescribes eligibility conditions, such as minimum length of service in the feeder cadre, age, minimum educational qualification, consideration of seniority, etc. The General Administration (Personnel & Training) Department notifies the number of vacancies, and seeks a list of the eligible personnel from the office of the Director General of Police, Tripura. The list of eligible personnel, along with their ACR grading, integrity certificate, vigilance clearance report, etc. are sent to the GA (P&T) Department for placing before the Selection Committee, which is chaired by the TPSC Chairman with the DGP, Tripura being one of the Members.

3. At the same time, Rule 34 of the TPS Rules also empowers the State Government, in consultation with the TPSC, to relax any of the provisions of the TPS Rules with respect to any class or category of persons or posts.
4. In July 2021, several representations had been received by the office of the DGP. Tripura from Inspectors of Tripura Police, who were otherwise eligible in all respects, but had become 55 years or older. These officers requested for relaxation in the age criteria, as prescribed in Rule 14(4) of the TPS Rules, 1967, so that they could be considered for ad promotion to the next higher rank. In order to dispose of all these representations, a consolidated proposal on behalf similarly situated Inspectors was sent by PHQ Tripura to the GA (P&T) Department, seeking a one-time age relaxation under the provisions of Rule 34 of the TPS Rules, 1967. Pending the decision of the State Government, the matter has now become the subject of litigation in the Hon’ble High Court of Tripura.
5. Without the express approval of the State Government, there is no question of the DGP not following any of the prescribed eligibility criteria of the TPS Rules to favour any one or group of officers in the matter of promotion.
6. There have also been speculations about the DGP availing leave from 27th August, 2021. It is clarified that, since joining on 17th November, 2020, Shri V.S. Yadav has been serving in the state during the ADC elections and all through the second wave of the pandemic. Since police has been an integral part of the enforcement of the strict COVID-19 protocols in Tripura, the DGP, being Head of Police Force, could not avail leave. Shri Yadav had been infected with the virus personally, and had undergone treatment in the state itself. Now, with the improving COVID-19 situation in Tripura and across the country. and removal of curfew restrictions, the DGP Tripura has gone on leave to attend to personal matter Delhi and his home state. The DGP, Tripura would be returning to the state in September 2021.
7. It is our humble request not to pay heed to speculative reports which are meant to create divisions within the ranks of civil and police administration. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the entire state administration has been working professionally in full harmony, as a team, and will continue to do so in public interest.