Chandigarh7 hours ago
- copy link
Siddharth Chattopadhyay has taken charge of DGP 4 days ago.
A fresh tussle has started over the appointment of a new DGP of Punjab. Now this issue has started getting stuck between the Punjab government and UPSC, in which there is no consensus between the two regarding the cut off date for forming the panel. UPSC is considering the date after Dinkar Gupta’s removal. At the same time, the Punjab government is saying that when the letter has been sent, the UPSC should take a decision accordingly.
Chattopadhyay will become the permanent DGP if the Punjab government continues. If UPSC sticks to its word, then VK Bhavara can become the new DGP. In the midst of all this, an important meeting of UPSC is going to be held today regarding the panel, in which Punjab Chief Secretary Anirudh Tiwari and Additional Chief Secretary (Home) will also attend.
DGP Dinkar Gupta had gone on leave as soon as the new government was formed.
Punjab government delayed Dinkar’s removal
Charanjit Channi became the CM after the removal of Captain Amarinder Singh from the CM’s chair. DGP Dinkar Gupta went on leave as soon as the new government was formed. Meanwhile, on 30 September, the government sent a panel of 10 officers to UPSC, out of which UPSC had to shortlist 3 officers and send them to Punjab, out of which the government could appoint any one as DGP.
However, UPSC says that when this panel was sent, the post of DGP was not vacant in Punjab. Dinkar Gupta was appointed to it and was on leave. The government removed Dinkar on 5 October. Therefore, according to the rule, the post of DGP of Punjab can be considered vacant since then. UPSC first objected to this. Now the Punjab government has asked to accept the date of sending their panels.
Sahota was removed and Chattopadhyay was given the charge of DGP.
Chattopadhyay will remain DGP if UPSC accepts September 30 as correct
If UPSC considers September 30 as the correct date, then the current working DGP of Punjab, Siddharth Chattopadhyay can become the permanent DGP. Actually, Chattopadhyay is going to retire on 31 March 2022. The rule for Permanent DGP is that his tenure should be at least 6 months. Chattopadhyay can fulfill this condition if UPSC accepts 30 September as correct. In that case, according to seniority, Chattopadhyay, Dinkar Gupta and VK Bhavara can be included in this list.
If Dinkar Gupta and Prabodh Kumar refuse, then VK Bhavra could be the new DGP of Punjab.
Bhavra may get the chair if it is accepted on October 5
If the UPSC agrees on October 5 itself, then Chattopadhyay will be out of the race, because his tenure will not be left for 6 months. In that case, according to the seniority, the names of VK Bhavra, Dinkar Gupta and Prabodh Kumar can come up. Of these, Dinkar and Prabodh Kumar have applied to go on deputation to the center. In such a situation, if both of them refuse for this post, then VK Bhavra can be the new DGP of Punjab.
First there was a conflict between Sidhu and the government
In Punjab, there was a conflict between the government led by Congress President Navjot Sidhu and CM Charanjit Channi over the DGP. After the removal of Dinkar, the government appointed Iqbalpreet Sahota as acting DGP. At that time Sidhu wanted to make Siddharth Chattopadhyay as DGP. Sidhu opened a front against Sahota, after which suddenly at midnight 4 days ago, the government removed Sahota and gave the charge of DGP to Chattopadhyay.
.