State announces major revamp of intelligence wing

MUMBAI: Maharashtra home minister RR Patil has finally seems to have acknowledged the failure of the state’s intelligence department in reading the serial blasts on July 11. On Tuesday, Mr Patil announced a major qualitative revamp of the state’s intelligence wing on the lines of the Central Bureau of Intelligence.

Very soon, the state intelligence would have 50% of its total workforce as direct recruitment, Mr Patil said. At present, the entire workforce at the state intelligence wing comprises officials on deputation from the police force. In contrast, all the personnel at the CBI are direct recruits, Mr Patil pointed out. Mr Patil has asked the home department to draft a proposal to this effect within two weeks.

“The state intelligence faces certain problems because of the policy of 100% deputation from the police force. There is a general reluctance among the police personnel to get deputed to work on the intelligence bureau,” Mr Patil said. He also pointed out that the intelligence wing is not benefited by the experience and ability of the police officials deputed.

“This happens because police officials, who are deputed to the bureau, are transferred back to the police force before the intelligence wing can benefit from their experience and ability,” Mr Patil said.

The proposed revamp would also formulate service conditions, rules, and regulations for the direct recruits. “They would retire from the intelligence wing,” Mr Patil said.

The home minister has already informed the Maharashtra Public Service Commission on the proposed move. “The MPSC would only conduct examination for the aspirants. Once the proposal gets drafted and final decision is taken, MPSC would start the process of putting in place syllabus and work out other modalities,” Mr Patil said.