Govt exploring ways to promote Manish Rawat

Neena Sharma

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 31

Procedures have come in the way of the Uttarakhand government’s efforts to promote constable Manish Rawat as Sub-Inspector in the Department of Home, as a reward for his representing the country in the Rio Olympics.

Manish Rawat, a constable in the Uttarakhand Police, had finished 13th at the Rio Olympics. The Department of Home is examining its policies to reward him by promotion.

The police headquarters has already sent a proposal recommending his fresh appointment as Sub-Inspector, while giving him the benefit of five years in service that he has put as constable. However, this has created problems.

“The police headquarters has recommended to the Home Department for fresh appointment of Manish Rawat as Sub-Inspector and giving him the benefit of five years but without guidelines such a promotion cannot be effected,” said a senior official in the Home Department.

In any case, Manish will have to resign from the present post first and then he could be considered for fresh appointment. In that case, his five years’ service cannot be considered.

It has also got a disconcerting reaction from officials, as other departments too will have to make similar provisions in guidelines. “Though Manish Rawat has done the state and the country proud, the government needs to ensure that all departments come up with similar guidelines as it may set off a chain reaction,” said the official.

On the other hand, in recognition of Manish Rawat’s feat efforts are also on to bring amendments to the promotion guidelines (2008) of the Police Department.

“Instead of appointing him as Sub-Inspector, he can be given out-of-turn promotion in recognition of his feat. The Police Department’s promotion policy drafted in 2008 is being looked into,” he said. But the policy calls for giving out-of-turn promotion to only medal winners at the national and international games.

The government is keen to take a clear-cut decision on the issue so that the morale of other sportsmen gets a boost. To that end, the Department of Home is keen to explore the out-of-turn promotion clause to accommodate Manish.