Chandigarh: The Union Home Ministry has sought an explanation from the Punjab government for not appointing a full-time DGP for the last eight months. The Home Ministry has asked why he continues to hold the post of acting chief of the state police force even after the passage of more than eight months.
In a letter to the state government, the Home Ministry has asked why the government has not yet sent a panel of qualified officers for regular posting of the state’s Director General of Police (DGP).
As per norms, the state government can appoint an officer as acting DGP only for six months. The Punjab government had appointed Gaurav Yadav as acting DGP on July 5 last year. On January 5, he has completed six months in this post.
This is the second letter written by the Home Ministry to the Punjab government on police matters within a week.
Last week, it questioned the attack on the Ajnala police station by pro-Khalistan activists. According to official sources, the state government is yet to respond to the letter. Now the Aam Aadmi Party government government has to send a panel of eligible officers soon as the Criteria has already been laid down by the Supreme Court for the selection of the DGP, he said.
“The government appears to have delayed the process so far to strengthen the selection of Yadav for the post of DGP as he is not in the top three in the seniority list,” the Home Ministry said in the letter.
According to the Supreme Court guidelines, an acting DGP can be posted only for a maximum period of six months. Yadav, the current DGP, completed six months in office on January 5.