JOIN US The State government is likely to finalise the name for the post of Director General and Inspector General of Police only a day or two before the superannuation of the incumbent Lalrokhuma Pachuau, on February 28.
Sources told Deccan Herald that though the selection committee was considering three senior most DGPs - Sushanth Mahapatra (1979 batch), Om Prakash (1981 batch) and Rupak Kumar Dutta (1981 batch), Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s discretion would prevail for the final selection.
The selection committee is headed by the Home Minister, while the Law Minister, Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary (DPAR) are the members. Sources in the Home department said that 11 criteria are being looked into for selection for the top post.
“These criteria include physical fitness, ability to lead the force, Annual Confidential Reports, knowledge of police duties and medals conferred. However, despite all these factors it is left to the chief minister’s discretion to choose the officer,” an official said.
Above all these, the State government would be careful in selecting the officer for the post of DG&IGP, who will be heading the Police Establishment Board (PEB). The PEB takes the decision on transfers of officers of the rank of DySPs and below.
Rupak Kumar Dutta, who is on central deputation as special director of Central Investigation Bureau, has reportedly conveyed to the State government his willingness to get repatriated if he is considered for the top post.
However, with Sushanth Mahapatra, Managing Director of Karnataka Police Housing Corporation, being the senior most among the three, the government is unlikely to announce the name in advance.
Mahapatra will retire in December 2016, while Dutta in October 2017. Om Prakash, the Commandant General of Home Guards and Director of Civil Defence, will retire in January 2017.
“There is information that if the government announces the name before the superannuation of Pachuau, the other aspirants will move the Central Administration Tribunal.
To avoid litigations, the decision of the committee and that of the chief minister will not be disclosed any time before February 27,” the sources said.