Punjab Government Proposes Panel for Full-Time Director General of Police Selection
A first in AAP’s 4 years: Govt sends panel to UPSC to pick full-time DGP
The Indian Express
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The Punjab government has submitted a panel of 14 Indian Police Service (IPS) officers to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the selection of a full-time Director General of Police (DGP). This decision follows a Supreme Court directive aimed at reducing the prevalence of acting DGPs, which undermines police leadership stability.
- 01Punjab government submits a panel of 14 IPS officers to UPSC for DGP selection.
- 02This move addresses a Supreme Court directive against the acting DGP culture.
- 03Gaurav Yadav is currently the officiating DGP and is included in the panel.
- 04The last DGP appointed through this process was VK Bhawra in January 2022.
- 05The Punjab Police (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which sought to bypass UPSC, was returned by the President.
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The Punjab government has forwarded a panel of 14 Indian Police Service (IPS) officers to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the selection of a full-time Director General of Police (DGP). This decision comes nearly four years after the last state police chief was appointed through this process and follows a directive from the Supreme Court of India, which criticized the ongoing practice of appointing acting DGPs. Among the panel members is Gaurav Yadav, the current officiating DGP, along with other notable officers from various batches. The Supreme Court's ruling aims to ensure timely appointments and uphold the stability of police leadership, a concern highlighted in the 2006 Prakash Singh judgment. The last DGP appointed through UPSC was VK Bhawra in January 2022. The Punjab government had previously attempted to create a seven-member committee to appoint a DGP but faced setbacks when the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, returned the Punjab Police (Amendment) Bill, 2023 without assent.
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The appointment of a full-time DGP is expected to enhance the stability and effectiveness of police leadership in Punjab, ultimately benefiting public safety and law enforcement.
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