The state government will now be able to directly appoint the DGP of UP. The Yogi Cabinet has approved the DGP, UP (Chief of Police Force of UP) Selection and Appointment Rules 2024.
Now the appointment of DGP in the state can be done only at the state government level. On Monday, the cabinet, under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, approved the Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh (Chief of Police Force of Uttar Pradesh) Selection and Appointment Rules 2024 in this regard. It provides for the formation of a nomination committee under the chairmanship of a retired High Court judge. At the same time, the minimum tenure of the DGP has been fixed at two years.
Nomination Committee
The nomination committee will consist of the Chief Secretary, an officer nominated by the Union Public Service Commission, the Chairman or nominated officer of the UP Public Service Commission, Additional Chief Secretary Home, a retired DGP who has served as DGP, as members. The purpose of this manual is to establish an independent and transparent mechanism for the selection of a suitable person for the post of DGP, so that it can be ensured that his selection is free from political or executive interference. It is also in accordance with the specific conditions and policing requirements of the state.
The DGP has been selected by the state government on the basis of his service period, generally very good service record and extent of experience to lead the police force. The nomination committee will consider the names of those officers who have more than six months left for retirement. Only those names will be considered who are working in the post of DGP in level 16 of the pay matrix.
Right to remove as well
The provisions related to removal of DGP from the post follow the guidelines passed by the Supreme Court. In case of any criminal case or corruption case, or if he otherwise fails to discharge his duties and responsibilities, he can be relieved of his responsibilities by the state government before the completion of two years.
Supreme Court order also followed
It may be noted that as per the decision and order passed in the Supreme Court in 2006 on a petition filed regarding police reforms, the state governments were expected to make a new Police Act so that the police system could be kept free from any pressure. Along with this, the rule of law could be established along with safeguarding the rights of the citizens.
Had to answer for contempt
Let us tell you that the Supreme Court had recently issued a notice of contempt to 8 states for the appointment of DGP. UP was also included in this. Actually, in the last two and a half years, acting DGPs are being appointed continuously in UP. After removing Mukul Goyal from the post of DGP, the panel for the selection of new DGP was not sent to the Union Public Service Commission. Questions have also been raised continuously regarding the appointment of acting DGP. The state government has put an end to this by bringing new rules.
Panel has to be sent for permanent DGP
Actually, for the appointment of permanent DGP, a panel of names of officers has to be sent to the Union Public Service Commission. The commission selects the names of three senior officers from these and gives the state government the option to choose one of them. After vigilance clearance, the state government selects the appropriate officer from the three.
Acting DGP in two and a half years
DS Chauhan
RK Vishwakarma
Vijay Kumar
Prashant Kumar