THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the promotion of four IPS officers, the total number of DGP- ranked officers in the state will go up to 12, this against a centre-sanctioned strength of four - two cadre and two ex-cadre. Sources said that in the present scenario, the four officers promoted to DGP-rank might have to wait for some time to get a posting in a sanctioned post of DGP grade.
Four IPS officers, including the first woman IPS officer of the state R. Sreelekha and controversial IPS officer Tomin J. Thachankary, were cleared for promotion to DGP-rank by the Cabinet on Wednesday. Special Protection Group director Arun Kumar Sinha and ADGP (Battalions) Sudesh Kumar were the others cleared for promotion from ADGP to DGP rank.
Presently Loknath Behera is occupying two DGP cadre posts, that of State Police Chief and Vigilance director while the two ex-cadres posts are IMG director which is occupied by Jacob Thomas and Excise Commissioner being occupied by Rishi Raj Singh.
The previous UDF government, towards its end of tenure, had gave promotion to DGP rank to five officers of 1986-batch and elevated five posts to that of DGP grade on a temporary basis exercising the special powers of the state government. The present government had differences towards this, but did not revoke.
DGP (Modernisation) N.C. Asthana, DGP (Crime) A. Hemach-andran, DGP (SCRB) Shanker Reddy, DGP (North-zone) Rajesh Dewan and DGP (Intelligence) Moham-med Yasin are the five 1986-batch officers.
Though Mr. Ashthana should have been posted to one of the four sanctioned posts of DGP after T.P. Senkumar's retirement in June, the state was yet to do that.
The present LDF government had differences towards the previous UDF government's decision to upgrade posts of ADGP's to DGP, beyond the sanctioned posts of four. "Among the eight offices already holding DGP posts, Rajesh Dewan is the first to retire, that too in April 2018 only. Central deputation or voluntary retirement from service of any senior officers might be a chance for the junior DGPs to get a posting in DGP rank," sources pointed out.
Though the state had been demanding the centre to enhance the number of DGP posts for quite some time, the centre was yet to allow it.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet clearance for Thachankary's promotion also raised many eye brows as he faced various probes, including a disproportionate asset case. The screening committee headed by Chief Secretary that recommended the promotion of the four officers, including Thachankary, was convened couple of days ahead of Nalini Netto stepping down as Chief Secretary post last month.
The LDF could however defends its decision citing that Thachankary was promoted to ADGP rank by the previous UDF government led by Oommen Chandy.
