GUWAHATI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday, March 5, commented on the ongoing rivalry between civil servants from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Forest Service (IFS). It noted that IAS officers, in particular, often attempt to assert their dominance over IPS and IFS officers.
ALSO READ: India Storm Into Final With 4-Wicket Victory Over Australia In ICC Champions Trophy
A bench of Justices BR Gavai and Augustine George Masih observed that such conflicts have continued to persist across all states. Justice Gavai, sharing his experience as a government pleader and judge, stated that there is deep-rooted resentment among IPS and IFS officers over their perceived subordination to IAS officers.
"IAS always wants to show their supremacy over IPS or IFS,” he remarked.
The court was hearing an environmental case when the matter of IAS officers directing forest officials to follow their orders was raised. The judges acknowledged that such disputes contribute to internal conflicts within the bureaucracy.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the central government, however assured the court that efforts would be made to resolve these issues among civil servants.
Notably, this is not the first time concerns have been raised over administrative hierarchies within the Indian bureaucracy.
