NEW DELHI: In a rare and stern message to bureaucrats who fail to perform well in their careers, the government has compulsorily retired two IPS officers on the basis of a performance review required to be held at the end of 15 and 25 years of service under the All-India service rules.The two IPS officers -- Raj Kumar Dewangan, belonging to 1992 batch of Chhattisgarh cadre and Mayank Sheel Chohan from 1998 batch of AGMU cadre -- were found to have put in sub-optimal performance by the concerned state cadre on the basis of their service records, ACRs and assessment of their seniors.The home ministry, which is the cadre-controlling authority of IPS officers, approved the recommendation of the concerned state cadres to compulsorily retire them from service "in public interest"."A notice has been served on them and as per rules, they were given three months salary along with compulsory retirement orders duly approved by appointments committee of Cabinet (ACC)," an officer told TOI.The move is rare. The last time an IPS officer was 'compulsory retired' was nearly 10 to 15 years ago. It reportedly involved officers of Maharashtra cadre. "It is technically not a punishment but merely an action taken to remove officers seen as deadwood by their respective cadres and the Centre for not being serious in discharge of their duties. The compulsorily retired officer gets all post-retirement benefits," explained an officer.As per sources, two IAS officers were also compulsorily retired recently on the same grounds."The compulsory retirement route is provided for under Rule 16(3) of the All India Services (Death-cum-Retirement) Benefits Rules, 1958. The rule provides for a service review for all All-India Services officers in consultation with the state government concerned at two stages: when the officer completes 15 years of qualifying service and when he/she completes 25 years of qualifying service or attains 50 years of age.Alternatively, the Centre may ask state to conduct such a review at any time it deems fit in case such a review has not been held at 15 or 25 years of service.As per rules, the bureaucrat found fit for compulsory retirement is either given at least three months notice in writing or three month's pay and allowances in lieu of such notice. The government, in the case of Dewangan and Chohan, opted for the latter.