MP: Govt Defends Inclusion of IAS Officers in IFS Appraisals, Faces Legal Opposition

The Madhya Pradesh government has justified its decision to involve IAS officers in evaluating Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers, claiming it aligns with existing laws and Supreme Court directives.

The state clarified that IAS officers would only provide feedback on welfare and developmental projects, not directly assess forest management duties.

The government contends that the system ensures a comprehensive review of officers’ performance and denies claims that it undermines IFS roles.

However, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenges the move, with critics arguing that non-forest officials lack the expertise to appraise critical forest-related work.