The 1988 batch IPS officer Raj Kumar Vishwakarma Appointed As New Acting DGP of Uttar Pradesh. He took charges at state police headquarter in Lucknow. Though he will retire in two months. He is currently working as the chairman of the Police Recruitment Board.
Mr Vishwakarma replaces IPS Devendra Singh Chauhan, who has retired on 31st March, 2023. Mr Chauhan was also holding the post of DG Intelligence and Director Vigilance along with DGP.
This is consecutive second time that the state has got its DGP in officiating capacity, rather than a full time DGP.
Informing the news of new DGP taking charge at police headquarter, UP Police tweeted, “DR. R.k. Vishwakarma takes charge as the new DGP of UP Police from the former DGP Sri D.S. Chauhan. DGP observed that eradication of mafias, zero tolerance towards crime, techno centric policing & serving the citizens with compassion shall be his topmost priorities.”
After taking charge, Mr Vishwakarma held a press conference and said that he will make the UP police more modern. “I will work for the helpless, poor, women in the state. I will take strict action against the mafias. We are proud of UP’s policing system,” he added.
He said that the UP Police has a world class emergency system and the best response system in the world including forensic Lab.
Earlier, four officers of the 1988 batch were in the race for the post of DGP. Among these, Vijay Kumar’s retirement is in January 2024. Anand Kumar was also in the race for DGP, he will retire in April 2024. Anil Kumar Agarwal of the same batch, who is currently on central deputation, is due to retire in April, while new DGP Dr Rajkumar Vishwakarma will retire in May 2023.
ABOUT NEW DGP
Mr Vishwakarma belongs to Jaunpur, UP. He is the second most senior IPS after Mukul Goyal in UP Police. His retirement is due in May 2023.
He did engineering in Mechanical and after that obtained PhD degree. He got promotion to the post of DIG in December 2004. In 2008, he was promoted to the post of IG.
He has given his services as SP and SSP in different districts of Uttar Pradesh. He has also held the responsibility of the post of IG law and order in the Samajwadi Party government.
He has been promoted to the rank of DG in 2018. He has also been given additional charge of many major departments from time to time.
He was appointed as Additional Director General of Police in 2013 and as Director General of Police in 2019. He has been awarded Police Medal in 2004, Ati Utkrisht Seva Medal and DG Commendation Disc (Platinum Gold Silver).
It is being told that the biggest reason behind the selection of Mr Vishwakarma is his working style and honest image. He also has a good image in the IPS lobby too.
He will now handle the responsibility of DGP along with other responsibilities. No separate salary or allowance will be given to him for this additional charge.
WHO BECOMES DGP
To become a DGP or state’s police chief, an IPS officer must have complete a service period of 30 years. After checking the records of seniority and tenure of the officer, the Union Public Service Commission selects the first three names and sends them to the state government. The government selects one of those names.
