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UPSC Seeks IPS Names for Bengal's Permanent DGP Before Crucial Assembly Polls

The Union Public Service Commission has formally requested the West Bengal government to provide a list of eligible IPS officers for the selection of a new permanent Director General of Police. This move comes ahead of the state's assembly elections and aims to resolve a prolonged administrative deadlock over the appointment. Seniority suggests 1991-batch officer Anuj Sharma is the frontrunner, with several other senior officers also likely to be recommended. The state government, which had previously faced accusations of delay from the Union government, is expected to forward the names imminently.

Key Points: UPSC Asks Bengal for IPS Names to Appoint Permanent DGP

  • UPSC seeks IPS officer names
  • Selection for permanent DGP post
  • Seniority points to Anuj Sharma
  • Process follows earlier appointment delays
2 min read

UPSC seeks names of IPS officers from Bengal govt for appointment of permanent DGP before Assembly polls

UPSC requests list of IPS officers from West Bengal govt to select a new permanent DGP ahead of state assembly elections.

"In all probability, the names will be forwarded to the commission by Friday - State Secretariat Sources"

Kolkata, Feb 26

The Union Public Service Commission has sought names of the Indian Police Service officers in the West Bengal for selecting one from among them as the new permanent Director General of Police.

Currently, Peeyush Pandey is the acting DGP.

The last permanent DGP in West Bengal was Rajeev Kumar's predecessor, Manoj Malviya, who retired from his services in 2023.

Sources in the state secretariat, Nabanna, said that following a communication in the matter from UPSC, the state government's department concerned has already started the process of shortlisting the officers whose names would be recommended to the Commission.

"In all probability, the names will be forwarded to the commission by Friday," said a state secretariat sources.

Going by the seniority factor, the most probable name for selection as the new permanent DGP is Anuj Sharma, a 1991-batch I.P.S. officer and currently posted as the Director General of the West Bengal Fire and Emergency Services Department.

The other probable names that might be included in the list of recommendations are those of the current acting DGP, Peeyush Pandey, Director General (Home Guard), Natarajan Ramesh Babu, Director General to the state correctional services, Siddh Nath Gupta, and Director General (Civil Defence), Sanjay Singh.

To recall, after the retirement of the then acting DGP Rajeev Kumar on January 31 this year, the state government appointed 1993 batch I.P.S. Piyush Pandey as the acting DGP of the state police.

At that point in time, the Union Government accused the state government of not sending the list of names to the UPSC within the specified time. As a result, the Union Government refused to grant clearance for a permanent appointment for that chair.

To keep the administrative work running, the state government appointed 1993 batch IPS officer Peeyush Pandey as the acting DGP. There were complications regarding the appointment of the DGP for a long time. Now, informed circles believe that the Supreme Court's intervention is going to finally break the deadlock.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Interesting to see the Centre-State dynamics play out here. The article mentions the Union Govt previously accused the state of delay. Hopefully, this time the process is smooth and transparent. A permanent, credible police chief is essential for public confidence.
P
Priya S
Anuj Sharma seems to be the senior-most. The rules are clear on this. They should just follow the seniority list unless there are very serious issues with the officer. This back-and-forth just creates uncertainty in the police force.
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Rohit P
With assembly polls around the corner, this appointment is super critical. Need someone who can ensure free and fair elections without any bias. The Supreme Court's watchful eye is probably the only reason this is moving forward now.
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Nikhil C
Respectfully, the entire episode shows poor administrative planning. A succession plan for such a top post should have been ready well before the retirement of the previous DGP. This last-minute scramble doesn't inspire confidence.
M
Meera T
Hope they choose someone with a strong record on law and order. West Bengal needs stability. The new DGP has a tough job ahead, managing the force and ensuring public safety during the election season. All the best to whoever gets selected! 🙏

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