The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed the state reorganization wings of governments of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to sort out discrepancies in the seniority list of inspector of police (civil) at the earliest in consultation with the heads of departments of the two States.

In a letter sent by the MHA Under Secretary R Venkatesan, the two states were advised to settle the seniority dispute in respect of feeder grade and initiate the allocation of this category of officers as decided by the sub-committee constituted in this regard.

The development is seen as significant as it upholds the contention of Telangana that the revised seniority lists of Home Department employees, specifically inspectors (civil), DSPs (civil), additional SPs (civil) and SP (non-cadre) were against the agreed principles.

Earlier, Telangana, in a letter to the MHA, complained about the revised seniority lists published by the AP government recently. The letter pointed out that the list of various categories of employees was announced in “utter disregard” to the procedures agreed to by the two States as also the provisions specifically mentioned in Rule 34 of AP Subordinate Service Rules, 1996.

This letter added that though it was agreed that the procedure for preparing the seniority list in Telangana and apportionment of deputation posts was to be adopted for the sake of uniformity between the two States, it was surprising that the orders issued by AP in finalizing the seniority were not in accordance with the principles.

Responding to the complaint, the MHA said in its letter that the advisory committee had already approved re-initiation of allocation process based on the revised seniority lists through a note circulated in December last year and hence, the dispute should be settled accordingly. The two States should also make efforts to ensure disposal of the fresh court cases filed in the matter and submit a status report to the Union Ministry on the action taken on the issues concerned.