Direct recruitment to Narcotics Control Bureau causes promotion hurdle

NEW DELHI: The government's decision to grant the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) its own cadre for better functioning has ironically started hurting the agency.

Two years ago, the government decided on 80:20 ratio for cadre and deputation recruitment in the country's premier anti-drug agency. Sources, however, said the rule was not thought out well and in its present form, will deprive a majority of officers of any seniority for close to two decades leading to serious dip in motivation.

The agency has now asked the government to change the ratio to 50:50 so that prolonged or complete deprivation of seniority is avoided.

According to sources, till two years ago, the NCB used to have all officers — from intelligence officers to DG — on deputation. These were mostly drawn from police forces or revenue services for a period of three years. However, to ensure better functioning of the agency so that officers develop long-time information networks and thus be more effective, government ruled that the NCB would have 80% of its strength through direct recruitment and only 20% of officers would come from outside on deputation.

Though well-meaning, the plan is beset with several hurdles and is turning out to be counter-productive, sources said. There are 300 posts for intelligence officers. According to the rule, 240 of these come from direct recruitment. However, there are only 50 posts at the senior level (of superintendents and assistant directors) that these men can be promoted to, in future.

"Given this scenario, not only will it take an inordinately long time for an intelligence officer to reach the level of superintendent, there will be several who will perhaps retire without being promoted. Nobody who knows he is perhaps never going to be promoted will work with full motivation," said a senior NCB official.

Sources said the move is already having an impact on the motivation of men as the agency has not been able to fulfill its objectives of busting drug cartels. "The problem is the agency is stopping at seizures from couriers. There is little uncovering of nationwide rackets. So there are statistics to show good work but little impact on the illicit drug business. The agency is not able to reach either the drug pusher, nor the receiver," said an official from the security establishment.

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Direct recruitment to Narcotics Control Bureau causes promotion hurdle