Putting an end to months-long suspense over the appointment of a full-time Director-General of Police, the State government on Friday issued orders appointing the DGP (Coordination) N. Sambasiva Rao as full-time head of the state’s police force (HoPF). Mr. Rao has been serving as in-charge DGP since July 2016.
This development comes four days after the postponement of the scheduled meeting of the Union Public Service Commission for selection of AP DGP. The postponement was reportedly due to non-submission of a fresh list of DGP rank officers by the State.
On Friday, the Union government positively communicated with the State government regarding the appointment of Mr. Rao, it is learnt.
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Chief Secretary Dinesh Kumar, in an order issued on Friday, stated that Mr. Rao, IPS officer of 1984 batch, has been transferred and posted as DGP (HoPF) of the State in the existing vacancy with immediate effect. He was serving as DGP (Coordination) till now.
Earlier, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs had rejected the list of seven DGP-rank officers sent by the State as three of them, including Mr. Rao, are to retire in less than two years, which is against the spirit of Supreme Court guidelines. The MHA then sought a fresh list pointing out that delay in appointment of full-time HoPF.
However, the government gave no clarity over extension of the term of Mr. Rao who is to retire by the end of this year. In all likelihood, the State government would continue Mr. Sambasiva Rao as DGP until next general elections in the State, it is said.
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