SC on Bureaucratic Rivalry: IAS Officers See Themselves as Senior, Others Feel Jealous

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The Supreme Court has made a significant statement regarding the ongoing supremacy battle between Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers and their counterparts in the Indian Police Service (IPS) and Indian Forest Service (IFS). A bench comprising Justices BR Gavai and Augustine George Christ noted that IAS officers often assert their superiority over IPS and IFS officers, leading to resentment.

The remark came during a hearing on the alleged misuse of the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) funds. The court expressed concern that the funds had been diverted for non-approved activities, including the purchase of iPhones and laptops.

Justice Gavai, reflecting on his 25-year legal career, stated that bureaucratic conflicts between IAS, IPS, and IFS officers are prevalent across states. The court has directed the Chief Secretary of the concerned state to file an affidavit on the misuse of CAMPA funds, while Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assured efforts to resolve internal disputes among officials.