The government has formally ended the high level of discretionary powers that the Indian Air Force chief and a selection board of senior IAF officers had in promoting officers.

Sources said the ministry of defence last week ended IAF headquarters' discretionary powers that allowed the IAF chief and a 14-member promotion board to decide 20 percent of the marks in promotions. The other 80 percent marks were based on the officer's annual confidential report.

Traditionally, there was very little discretionary powers vested in the IAF chief and senior officers, but Air Chief Marshal S Krishnaswamy changed the system in 2002 with his 'deep selection policy.'

The discretionary powers applied to promotion of officers air commodore level above.

Air Chief Marshal Krishnaswamy's 'deep selection policy' has been in the eye of a storm since last year when the promotion of four air vice-marshals was held back by the defence ministry for several months.

The ministry found that the 20 percent marks that were at the IAF chief and his senior officers' discretion had completely changed the complexion of the promotion list. Two of the air vice-marshals, who were passed over for promotion, moved the Delhi high court.

The court passed strictures against the IAF after finding some records tampered with and asked it to promote the officers. The court also passed remarks against the new promotion policy.

The new policy was initiated by Air Chief Marshal Krishnaswamy arguing that the IAF should give due weightage to the competence of the officers and should not promote anyone just because he is senior and has a fairly decent annual confidential report. The proposal was accepted by the defence ministry.

However, some senior officers claimed that despite their excellent track records they were overlooked for promotion and complained to the defence ministry. Defence Minister George Fernandes then wrote to Air Chief Marshal Krishnaswamy, seeking an explanation.

Sources said the order ending Air Chief Marshal Krishnaswamy and the selection board's discretionary powers was issued last week.

The IAF has not officially commented on the issue.