It's back to the jungles for IFS officials on illegal deputation

MUMBAI: Forest minister Patangrao Kadam on Wednesday said he will recall the services of all Indian Forest Service officials who are on non-IFS assignments in violation of rules.
"If they are continuing on deputation illegally, they will be recalled immediately. I have asked the forest secretary to submit all information on IFS officials who are on deputation and on non-forest assignments," Kadam told ToI.
Responding to a report in ToI ('IFS officers seeking non-forestry stints', April 8), Kadam said it was shocking that many IFS officers were on deputation in blatant violation of rules."We will take action immediately," he said.
As per forest department records, over 16 IFS officers are on deputation either with state departments or with the centre, but their assignments are not even remotely linked to the forest department.
A senior IFS officer is with the State Human Rights Commission, while another is with the Maharashtra State Electricity Regulatory Commission and a high-ranking IFS official, who completed his four-year deputation with the Maharashtra Public Service Commission, has taken up a non-IFS assignment with the Child Rights Commission. "These IFS officials are out of the forest department for more than a decade, they must be sent back to the jungles," a senior official said.
As per rules, an IFS official can take up deputation for a maximum five years and after that, he must return to the state forest department.