Northeast, incentives & all-India service officers

The Centre's recent decision to withdraw multiple incentives and special allowances to certain All-India service officers posted in the Northeast appears to have come a bit late. These incentives were introduced when the region was reeling under insurgency. But, now that insurgency has by and large become a part of history, the so-called problems which only officers certain All-India service officers had faced, should also be considered as things of the past. It was in April that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had withdrawn the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act from 15 police station areas in seven Nagaland districts, 15 police station areas in six Manipur districts, and 23 districts entirely and one district partially in Assam. It was on March 31 this year that Union Home Minister Amit Shah in a tweet said, "Reduction in areas under AFSPA is a result of the improved security situation and fast-tracked development due to the consistent efforts and several agreements to end insurgency and bring lasting peace in North East by PM @narendramodi government." All-India services officers belonging to the Assam-Meghalaya joint cadre, Sikkim, Nagaland, Tripura and Manipur cadres were entitled to a special allowance of additional 25 per cent basic pay and a few other incentives for posting in the North-East. They were also enjoying a post-retirement housing facility since 2007 which has been withdrawn with immediate effect. From 2009 these officers were enjoying additional monetary incentives, which also stand withdrawn now. According to media reports, the officers aren't very amused with the Government's decision. One news report quoted an anonymous officer as saying that the additional benefits had given them "a sense of security" and was an "incentive" to work in the Northeast. This statement, though anonymous, reflects a mindset of "they and we" of a section of officers from other parts of India posted in the Northeast. Another media report quoting yet another anonymous officer said that many All-India service officers serving in the Northeast would now withdraw particularly in the interest of better career prospects and the education of children. This is a clear reflection of a colonial mindset of a section of All India Service officers. Some time ago, a Chief Justice of Madras High Court resigned on being transferred to the Meghalaya High Court. A 2011-batch IAS officer also resigned when he had been transferred from Delhi to Arunachal Pradesh. But then, the fact also remains that several officers from other states who had taken those special benefits have also continued to stay back in the region even after retirement.