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Mamata govt to overhaul state intelligence, stop lateral entry from general police

At least 60% of the total workforce would be now direct recruitment

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee | Salil Bera West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee | Salil Bera

Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal is overhauling the state intelligence branch, the oldest intelligence department in India, by stopping lateral entry from general police.

The recommendations made almost 10 years ago by then Chief Secretary Basudeb Banerjee might see light of the day soon. The proposal that like central intelligence bureau, the state intelligence should also largely have direct recruitment rather than the people deputed from elsewhere was first mooted by then DGP G.M.P. Reddy during left front government.

The central IB currently has almost 70 per cent direct recruitment while 30 per cent are taken through deputation, mostly from IPS cadre. However, once they are deputed, they are not involved in any other services apart from intelligence. 

In West Bengal's intelligence branch, there is no separate cadre. They are normal police officers deputed to IB office at Lord Sinha Road. In Kolkata Police, too, the story is same. The Special Branch (its intelligence wing) consists of normal police officers with no cadre recruitment. 

Now, the Banerjee government has decided to change the system based on the recommendations of the former chief secretary. At least 60 per cent of the total workforce would be now direct recruitment. The home department is working out the salary, allowances and other benefits and perks to be given to the directly recruited officials.

It is learned that Naparajit Banerjee, a former IB chief and former DGP, had sought at least 30 per cent allowance in terms of every day source money for the officers working in the field, besides their salary. While every state of India gives special allowance to the IB officers, West Bengal government gives only around Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 to junior officers as allowance.

The proposal had said that for the operational intelligence, the state IB can have 40 per cent of officers deputed from police force, but these officers cannot be used for police services other than intelligence gathering of operations. At present, during elections, calamities and huge festival congregations, these plain-cloth spies wear the khaki uniform and go to the special duty.

“This must end if the state needs a vibrant IB system,” said a former DG of the state. 

The state IB does not report to the Director General of Police, but to the home department. The files are pending for approval of the home ministry of which Chief Minister Banerjee is in-charge.

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