Demo

The Bengal Cabinet has passed new rules for appointing the Director General of Police (DGP), sources told CNN-News18. Under these rules, a selection committee headed by a retired High Court judge will be responsible for appointing the DGP. This change eliminates the need for the State Government to send names to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

This approach mirrors steps taken by Uttar Pradesh last year. With these new rules, the acting DGP, Rajeev Kumar, may be appointed as the permanent DGP for a two-year term, sources said. Traditionally, the State Government would send names of the senior-most Indian Police Service (IPS) officers to the UPSC, which would then shortlist three candidates. The State Government would then choose one from this list.

Rajeev Kumar was appointed as the acting DGP of Bengal in December 2023 after being transferred from his post during elections by the Election Commission (EC). Following the elections, the Mamata Banerjee government reinstated him as the acting DGP. On Monday, the Bengal Cabinet passed the new rules, freeing the State Government from the obligation of sending names to the UPSC.

Members Of Selection Committee

The selection committee will be composed of a retired judge, the Chief Secretary, the Home Secretary, and other personnel, sources said. Sources indicate that the idea for these new rules was derived from a Supreme Court verdict in a 2006 police reform case, which was based on a petition filed by former UP DGP Prakash Singh. The verdict recommended the formation of such committees by the states.

A former bureaucrat mentioned that there had been concerns that the UPSC might not approve the state’s recommended names, but the new rules will empower the State Government.

Uttar Pradesh implemented similar rules last year, as they did not have a regular DGP since 2022. Now, Bengal has followed suit.

Read more: https://newscope.press/cracks-appear-in-west-bengal-bjp-post-dilip-ghoshs-meeting-with-mamata-banerjee/

Author

Leave A Reply