The Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill was finally passed in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. Union Minister of State (MoS) for Home, Nityanand Rai, who piloted the Bill in the Upper House, said it will further strengthen the security system of the country while the Opposition walked out.
According to him, the aim of the Bill is to create an umbrella structure for resolving several anomalies and to streamline its structure for better coordination and implementation.
The Bill virtually formalises the deputation of IPS officers in CAPFs, reserving 50 percent of IG rank posts, at least 67 percent of Additional Director General (ADG) posts, and all posts of Special Director General and Director General (DG) in CAPFs for IPS officers on deputation. Till now, such appointments used to be made through executive orders.
The Opposition alleged that the government failed to address any concerns raised by their MPs and senior officers of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) about the Bill.
Rai described the Bill as a crucial move to resolve inconsistencies in CAPF service rules, cadre management, and issues related to appointment, among others. According to him, the Bill will boost the efficiency and morale of the forces.
He pointed out that the domain of the CAPFs has expanded over time, causing a lack of clarity and inconvenience in the implementation of different rules, guidelines, and administrative solutions provided from time to time.
The minister also said that the Bill will further strengthen the federal structure and help maintain proper coordination between the CAPFs and state police forces and administration.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge demanded that the Bill should be referred to a select committee of Parliament, saying the core issues raised by the Opposition on the institutionalisation of IPS deputation and its adverse impact on morale and career progression of the CAPFs personnel were not addressed by the Centre.
Earlier, during the debate, Opposition members continued to raise objections against the CAPF Bill. The Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) MP Fauzia Khan said the Bill was a judicial invasion wearing the clothes of the law.
In its defence, the Union Govt said IPS officers are needed for effective functioning of the CAPFs and for coordination between the Centre and states.
It should be mentioned here that the CAPF Bill was brought after the Supreme Court had directed the government to progressively reduce IPS deputation in the CAPFs and conduct a cadre review in May 2025. It was opposed by the Centre, which sought its review, but the top court rejected the government’s plea.
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