Confusion over appointment of new Punjab DGP

Saturday 01st September 2018 07:39 EDT
 
 

CHANDIGARH: The state government move to amend the Punjab Police Act has only added to an existing confusion over the issue of appointment of the next Director General of Police (DGP) with only one month left in the retirement of incumbent Suresh Arora. The government, before carrying out the amendments, had claimed that the move is aimed at bringing the present police Act in line with the recent Supreme Court judgment.

A July 3 order of the Supreme Court directed states to send their proposals to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) at least three months in advance, when they anticipate a vacancy in the post of DGP. The UPSC shall then prepare a panel of three officers, out of which the state shall choose one for the DGP's post. However, in an amendment made in the assembly recently, the government has made provisions that the state government shall select the DGP from a panel of at least three eligible officers suggested by a committee, which will be headed by the chief secretary.

The amendment read, “The DGP shall be selected on their service record and range of experience, having a reasonable period of remainder service left which shall in no case be less than twelve months as on the date of appointment.” They have also made a provision of the setting up of a “State Security Commission' headed by the chief minister. The commission will have a role in removal of the DGP before completing two years. The Punjab government had announced that it has decided to seek review of the SC judgment claiming it would lead to political interference by the Centre in state matters.

“Punjab has not amended its Act as per earlier judgment by the SC in 2008, which included formation of a security commission. As the state has brought its own act in tandem with the earlier judgments of the SC, now it can fiel a review challenging the UPSC's role as a threat to the federal structure as its ground,” an officer said.

A 1984-batch IPS officer, Arora would retire on September 30. 1985-batch IPS officers Mohd Mustafa and Hardeep Singh Dhilon and 1986-batch officer Dinkar Arora are considered main contenders for the post.


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