For the second time in a row, the state government is dragging its feet when it comes to the selection of the new director general and inspector general of police (DG&IGP). With just two days to go for DG&IGP N. Achuth Rao to resign, the state government is toying with the idea of either having an adhoc DG&IGP or extend Achuth Rao’s tenure. Five names have already been sent to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for recommending a list of three eligible candidates. So far, the UPSC has not called the chief secretary for the meeting, where the list has to be finalised, said sources.

What’s surprising is that no meetings have been held so far on who the next DG&IGP should be. Home and transport minister R. Ashok had said that after the campaign for the Bellary by-election ends on Monday evening, the chief minister would deal with the issue. Though the state government has sent five names, seniormost DGP Lalrok-huma Pachau is already serving as DGP in his home state – Mizoram. Sources said that Pachau has written to the government saying that he would return only by March-April.

The other two potential contenders are Abdul Rehaman Infant and Shankar M. Bidari. Mr Infant is senior to Mr Bidari, but Mr Bidari is depending on his meritorious credentials to bag the top post, said sources. Though Mr Bidari was a serious contender last time too, his candidature could not be cleared due to technical reasons with his salary scale not matching the criteria laid down by UPSC. This time, he will meet the criteria from November 30.

According to the sources, Mr Bidari is no longer as close to the B.S. Yeddyu-rappa camp as he was earlier. He was shunted out from the city police commissioner’s post to the Railways and then to the CID. Sensing a change in his favour, Mr Infant has called on Mr Yeddyurappa as well as Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda, the sources said. Sources said opinions are being sought on whether Achyuth Rao can be given a six month extension till Mr Pachau returns to the state. As per rules, the government can give an extension to a DG&IGP for six months. If this does not work out, the government is planning to have an adhoc DG&IGP till the matter is sorted out, sources added.