KSPCA seeks common seniority for KSRP and IRB personnel, especially in Kalyana Karnataka

The Karnataka State Police Complaints Authority (KSPCA) has urged the State government to address the promotion and transfer-related grievances of personnel serving in the Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) and India Reserve Battalion (IRB), particularly those belonging to the Kalyana Karnataka region.

In a letter to the Additional Chief Secretary, KSPCA member Mohan Kumar Danappa pointed out that the KSRP has 12 battalions, besides two IRB units and two training schools. However, Kalyana Karnataka currently has only the KSRP 6th Battalion at Kalaburagi and the IRB unit at Munirabad.

He said a large number of personnel from Kalyana Karnataka had been recruited before the implementation of Article 371(J), and were now facing difficulties in securing promotions and transfers due to the separate treatment of Kalyana Karnataka and non-Kalyana Karnataka cadres.

According to KSPCA, personnel from the non-Kalyana Karnataka cadre, despite being seven to eight years junior in service, were getting promotions while senior personnel from Kalyana Karnataka were being denied similar opportunities. This, he said, was causing embarrassment and administrative difficulties when senior personnel from Kalyana Karnataka had to work under their juniors.

The authority has sought a common State-level seniority for Kalyana Karnataka and non-Kalyana Karnataka personnel serving in KSRP and IRB units, allowing personnel from Kalyana Karnataka to seek transfers to other KSRP and IRB units across the State and become eligible for promotions on the basis of common seniority.

He said thousands of personnel had already suffered due to the existing system and urged the government to examine the issue under the applicable rules and take speedy action to ensure justice to affected personnel and their families.