By Alok Singh
New Delhi, April 2 (IANS): At least 20 senior police officers find themselves at a loose end in the national capital without a viable posting, thanks to the model code of conduct in force ahead of the elections.

According to the rules, no transfers or postings can be done in the states or union territories after the Election Commission announces the poll schedule. Now, the postings will take place a few days after the May 16 counting day.

As the model code of conduct came into effect March 5, these Indian Police Service (IPS) officers of AGMUT (Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram and Union Territories) cadre are without postings. The officers are from the 1988 to 2008 batches.

"This is the first time that such a huge number of IPS officers have not been posted due to the election code of conduct. But they are being attached with other units to
keep them busy," an officer told IANS on the condition of anonymity.

So now, in districts like New Delhi, South, South-East and West, four officers are doing the work of three.

"Three officers of the 1988 batch were on deputation outside Delhi. They rejoined soon after the election code of conduct came into effect. They are temporarily looking after the works of some units of Delhi Police," another officer told IANS.

"As many as 10 young IPS officers are deployed in different units. This has never happened before," said the officer.

Delhi has 11 police districts and more than 180 police stations, which include railway and Metro stations. At any given time, Delhi Police have 70 IPS officers.

"As the election code of conduct will continue till May 18, they (the officers) will get their postings after the code ends," said another officer.

But another officer said this is one way of learning the functioning of various units and districts for these officers.

"They are not sitting idle. They are getting on-the-job training," the officer added.