Till yesterday, police constable R. Kumar was taking orders from senior constables, sub-inspectors and inspectors. In a queer turn of events, he will now have even inspectors saluting him, as he has straightaway become a deputy superintendent of police.
Kumar, however, had to wait for five years for this day. He had joined the force in 2002 and successfully cleared the Group I examination of the State service in 2007, but he could not be appointed as a DSP immediately.
Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission chairman R. Nataraj explained: “The verification of his community certificate was pending for many years because of which he could not be appointed earlier.”
On Tuesday, Mr. Nataraj presented an appointment order to Mr. Kumar as a DSP.
According to TNPSC officials, the commission had taken a decision about seven years ago that all certificates of SC/ST should be verified before appointment. For SC candidates, the district vigilance committees verified and for STs, the State vigilance committee would have to certify. As many as 509 cases were pending for verification of community certificates.
Mr. Kumar belongs to a Scheduled Tribe in the Kalrayan Hills and hails from a family of farmers. An armed reserve constable and a member of the striking force of the Additional Commissioner of Police (L & O) in Chennai, he holds a master's degree in Public Administration.
The Madras High Court has issued an order to the TNPSC to release the results pending verification, officials said. In Mr. Kumar's case, the State vigilance department had also certified him as a member of a Scheduled Tribe.
“This was a much awaited result for me and I am overjoyed to receive it. I passed the exam for Village Administrative Officer but I didn't take it up, as I was keen on clearing the Group I exam,” he said.
