Haryana's Forest Officer Reshuffle Exposes Persistent Cadre and Posting Mismatches
The Haryana government's latest transfer and posting order has initiated a significant reshuffle of Indian Forest Service (IFS) and Haryana Forest Service (HFS) officers across various forest divisions, training institutes, wildlife wings, headquarters, and the Haryana Forest Development Corporation (HFDC). However, a detailed analysis reveals that on-the-ground control of key forest divisions remains largely unchanged, with most frontline forest administration continuing under the same arrangements that existed prior to the reshuffle.
Field Administration Unchanged Despite Reshuffle
A substantial number of HFS officers persist in non-field or supervisory roles, despite their primary mandate being territorial forest management. Many officers continue in HFDC assignments, headquarters-linked positions, training or research posts, or against vacant and interim positions, indicating a disconnect between official responsibilities and actual deployments.
Cadre Post Mismatch Highlights Systemic Issues
A closer examination of the February 20 order issued by ACS Forest Sudhir Rajpal reveals a persistent mismatch between sanctioned cadre posts and actual postings. Several IFS officers have been placed in positions officially classified as HFS cadre posts. These include DFO (seed collection) in Pinjore, GM HFDC in Kurukshetra, DCF Rewari, and deputy conservator of forests (DCF) (training) at Sohna and Pinjore.
The order itself annotates these posts as belonging to the state service cadre, yet IFS officers continue to man them. Consequently, all-India service officers remain concentrated in monitoring, training, and specialized roles rather than occupying senior territorial field positions, which are critical for effective forest management.
Reverse Arrangement in Frontline Divisions
Simultaneously, the reverse arrangement persists in frontline divisions, where HFS officers are posted as divisional forest officers (DFOs) in territorial divisions designated as IFS cadre posts. These include Pinjore, Yamunanagar, and Nuh. Analysis of the order flagged these as senior IFS field postings, but HFS officers continue to hold them after relieving IFS officers, further complicating the cadre alignment.
The order also clarifies that DFO (HQ) is an HFS cadre post, despite being a supervisory assignment. This points to how cadre officers and posts are freely interchanged rather than being properly aligned, undermining the structured hierarchy intended by forest service regulations.
Staffing Issues and Rule Violations Flagged by IFS Association
This reshuffle unfolds against a larger staffing issue highlighted by the IFS Officers' Association, as previously reported. Haryana has 16 sanctioned DCF posts, which are the senior-most field positions meant to be held strictly by IFS officers. Currently, only nine of these posts are occupied by cadre officers, with the remaining divisions managed by HFS officers, despite trained IFS officers being available and awaiting posting.
In a representation to the chief secretary on February 19, the IFS Officers' Association stated that this arrangement violates the IFS (Cadre) Rules, 1966. These rules mandate that sanctioned IFS posts must be filled by cadre officers, with non-cadre appointments allowed only in exceptional or temporary situations requiring central government approval if they extend beyond three months. The association emphasized that no such approval was obtained, indicating a breach of regulatory protocols.
Implications for Forest Management and Accountability
The persistent cadre mismatches and staffing shortages raise concerns about the efficiency and accountability of forest management in Haryana. With IFS officers often sidelined from key field positions and HFS officers handling roles beyond their designated cadre, the state's ability to enforce environmental laws and manage forest resources effectively may be compromised.
This situation underscores the need for stricter adherence to cadre rules and a more transparent posting process to ensure that qualified officers are deployed in appropriate roles, ultimately safeguarding Haryana's forest ecosystems and regulatory frameworks.
