Patna, Feb. 2: The Centre is out to prove to IAS officers that a stint in the Northeast is not a “punishment posting”.

The government, which had been discussing a special package for IAS officers serving in the seven northeastern states, finally approved it last month.

Confirming this, L.K. Joshi, who retired as secretary from the department of personnel and training on Wednesday, told The Telegraph, “The Prime Minister recently approved this package that includes educational allowances for children of IAS officers posted in the Northeast and a curtailed deputation period”.

S.N. Mishra, current secretary of the department, could not be contacted.

An official source explained, “If a Rajasthan cadre officer is willing to serve in the Northeast, he can be absorbed into any of cadres there and avail of the benefits of the special package.”

About 250 IAS officers are currently serving in the northeastern states.

Officers posted in the Northeast will have a curtailed central deputation from the existing five to seven years to four years.

IAS officers from other cadres serving in the Northeast on central deputation will be now given a choice of taking up a home state posting after their five-year stint in the Northeast.

However, IAS officers, while lauding the package, said the incentives would amount to nothing unless the state governments provided them “better working space” and did not interfere in policy matters.

A senior IAS officer serving in Arunachal Pradesh said, “The special package is just a placebo. The Centre should be building up democratic institutions in the northeastern region”.

He said IAS and IPS officers should be given a “free hand” to tackle insurgency.

Another officer, blaming everything on a lack of political will and a possible politician-ultra nexus, said, “The government’s intention is not clear. There have been instances when the governments allots road contracts to insurgent groups.”

An IAS probationer, who has served in Sikkim and Manipur, however, was optimistic.

He said, “Nearly 30 probationers serving in the Northeast do not find the situation antagonistic.”

Requesting anonymity, the probationer added, “Insurgency in Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura and a part of Assam needs firm handling”.

Ajay Thakur, an IAS officer serving in Bihar, said, “I have been in regular contact with IAS officers serving in the Northeast but very few discuss the special package.”

The Northeast IAS Officers’ Association complains about problems in execution of their duties because of perpetual insurgency, poor roads and erratic telephone services.

Reacting to the news about the special package, a senior police officer posted in Arunachal Pradesh said, “Just as the government has given special incentives to IPS officers in Jammu and Kashmir, a special package to IAS officers here could help motivate those in the higher ranks.”

The police officer said, “The government should give a definite role to IAS, IPS and Indian Forest Service officers, rather than politicising insurgency”.