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CAT Sets Jan 23 Deadline for Bengal to Propose New DGP Names

The Central Administrative Tribunal has directed the West Bengal government to submit proposed names for the new Director General of Police to the UPSC by January 23. The UPSC must then notify the panel by January 28 to name a successor before Acting DGP Rajeev Kumar's retirement on January 31. The appointment process has been mired in controversy as the UPSC previously rejected the state's list for not following a Supreme Court-mandated three-month advance submission rule. The procedural lapse stems from the state's failure to propose a panel three months before the previous DGP, Manoj Malviya, retired in December 2023.

Key Points: CAT Deadline for West Bengal DGP Appointment Names

  • CAT sets Jan 23 deadline for DGP names
  • UPSC to finalize panel by Jan 28
  • Acting DGP Rajeev Kumar retires Jan 31
  • Appointment delayed over Supreme Court protocol
2 min read

CAT directs Bengal government to submit proposed names for new DGP by Jan 23

CAT directs West Bengal govt to submit DGP candidate names to UPSC by Jan 23. Acting DGP Rajeev Kumar retires Jan 31.

"send to the Union Public Service Commission the names for empanelment - Central Administrative Tribunal"

Kolkata, Jan 21

The Central Administrative Tribunal has directed the West Bengal government to send to the Union Public Service Commission the names for empanelment to select the new Director General of Police by January 23.

Based on the empanelment proposals sent by the state government, the UPSC will have to notify the panel by January 28 and declare the name of the new state police chief.

Currently, West Bengal Police does not have any fulltime DGP. Acting DGP Rajeev Kumar is slated to retire on January 31.

As per protocol, the state government is supposed to send a list of three serving IPS officers in the state for appointment in the post of DGP, and the UPSC finally clears the appointment for one among the three officers.

Controversies started shrouding the appointment of a new DGP earlier this month, with the UPSC returning the list of Indian Police Service (IPS) officers recommended by the West Bengal government for the selection of the new DGP.

The UPSC's Director, All India Services, Nand Kishor Kumar, also advised West Bengal Chief Secretary, Nandini Chakraborty, to approach the Supreme Court and get the necessary clearance for the appointment of Rajeev Kumar's successor.

The entire complication has its roots in the retirement of Rajeev Kumar's predecessor, Manoj Malviya, as DGP in December 2023. Instead of sending the panel of three IPS officers then as Malviya's successor, the state government chose to appoint Rajeev Kumar as the acting Director General of Police.

Although the state government had recently sent the recommended panel of IPS officers as his successor, the UPSC declined to accept it on grounds that as per a Supreme Court order in July 2018, any state government should send the recommended panel of IPS officers for appointment as the new state DGP at least three months before the retirement of the sitting DGP, the procedure was not followed by the West Bengal government in this case.

Hence, going by that logic, the West Bengal government should have sent the recommended panel in September 2023, that is, three months before the retirement of Malviya.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
This back-and-forth between the state and UPSC doesn't inspire confidence. Law and order is a serious matter, especially in a large state like Bengal. The procedure seems clear - send three names, UPSC picks one. What's so difficult? The acting DGP retiring on Jan 31 adds to the urgency. 🤔
R
Rohit P
Respectfully, the state government seems to have dropped the ball here. The SC order from 2018 is not new. Every other state manages to follow the 3-month prior rule. Why not Bengal? This isn't about politics, it's about administrative efficiency. The police chief's post shouldn't be left in limbo.
A
Ananya R
It's good that institutions like CAT and UPSC are ensuring rules are followed. The appointment must be transparent and merit-based, not influenced by any external factors. Hope the new DGP, whoever it is, can focus on improving policing for the common man. Safety should be the top priority!
M
Michael C
Interesting to see how federal dynamics play out in India. The state vs central bodies interaction is quite complex. From an outsider's perspective, having clear timelines for such critical appointments makes perfect sense for stability. The Jan 23 and 28 deadlines seem reasonable.
K
Kavya N
As a Bengali, I just want a competent police chief who understands the ground realities of our state. The procedural delays are frustrating. Let's hope the names sent are of officers with a clean record and a vision for modern, people-friendly policing. 🤞

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