Chhattisgarh yet to appoint new DGP

The Chhattisgarh Police, which is battling mounting extremist violence, is facing problems operating without a leader.

Though the state police has been under acting DGP S K Paswan since Rathore8217;s death, sources said the Government8217;s delay in appointing a full-time DGP was preventing several critical policy decisions from being taken by the police. 8220;This is also creating a command and control problem. Transfers upto the level of Deputy Superintendent of Police can8217;t be made as the DGP is the one who heads the establishment board and needs to forward the proposal,8221; sources said. An additional problem also arises as only a DGP is authorised to write the confidential report of senior officers.

However, Chief Minister Raman Singh said the process of appointing a new DGP was underway. 8220;We are at present talking with the Union Home Ministry regarding relieving Vishwa Ranjan, now on deputation as Additional Director Intelligence Bureau, for the position,8221; he added.

Four senior IPS officers were stated to be in the running for the top job. Ranjan and Praveen Mahendru are the senior-most officers from Chhattisgarh cadre. Then there are Rajeev Mathur Director Prosecution and Anil Nawani DG Prisons.