The Bill complies with SC direction of 2006; Speaker saved deputy CM from YSRC questions
Picture for representational purpose
Hyderabad:Amid concerns from the Opposition party, the Andhra Pradesh Assembly passed the AP Police Reforms Bill complying with the 2006 directions of the Supreme Court and setting a two year term for the DGP irrespective of retirement age.
Speaker Kodela Sivaprasada Rao shielded a stuttering deputy Chief Minister N. China Rajappa from Opposition queries on the bill and quickly put it to vote after which it was passed. An Ordinance on the same was earlier promulgated and the Act would replace the ordinance.
The Supreme Court had directed the states in 2006 to ensure that an appointed DGP serves a term of two years irrespective of the date of his or her retirement. The head of the police force will also be selected from a list of three empanelled IPS officers. The Bill was moved by home minister China Rajappa after which YSR Congress directed queries at him.
YSRC legislator B. Rajendranath Reddy questioned, “Will other deserving IPS officers not lose out if an IPS officer, who is about to retire, continues for two years exceeding his retirement age?” He also asked if other IPS officers will be affected because only three officers are empanelled.
The questions did not evince satisfying clarifications from the minister. Leader of Opposition Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy intervened and posed the questions to Mr Rajappa again in details. However, the stuttering deputy CM was shielded by Speaker Kodela Siva prasada Rao as he answered the Opposition’s queries on Mr Rajappa’s behalf.
“As far I know, the Supreme Court had given such directions and the bill is to comply with the directions,” Mr Kodela stated. He immediately put the Bill to vote, which was then passed by the Assembly.
Earlier in the day, unaware of the contents of the Bill, the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative issued a release claiming that it is alarmed such a bill has been proposed without public consultation and without putting it in the public domain.
With this Bill, a DGP will continue in the post till two years even if he or she crosses retirement age, unless removed by the government. He will also be appointed from three UPSC empanelled officers instead of five.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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