Ranchi: In an unexpected move that has put the Jharkhand government on the defensive, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has deferred a crucial Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) meeting, objecting to the inclusion of the state’s acting Director General of Police (DGP), Anurag Gupta, an IPS officer of 1990 batch.
The deferment has delayed promotions for nine State Police Service officers awaiting elevation to the Indian Police Service (IPS) cadre, triggering administrative uncertainty and raising serious questions about the state’s top police appointment.
UPSC Refuses to Accept Anurag Gupta on DPC Panel
The DPC is composed of three key members: the Chief Secretary, the Home Secretary, and the DGP. The scheduled meeting aimed to review and approve promotions to fill several IPS cadre vacancies. However, the UPSC communicated to the state government that it does not recognize Anurag Gupta (IPS: 1990: JH) – currently serving as acting DGP – as a valid member of the committee.
This communication reportedly reached the state government a day before the scheduled meeting, effectively stalling the process.
State Govt Defends Appointment Amid Pushback
According to sources, Chief Secretary Alka Tiwari (IAS: 1988: JH) and Home Secretary Vandana Dadel (IAS: 1996: JH) attempted to defend Gupta’s inclusion, maintaining that his appointment was made in accordance with the state government’s prerogative.
Despite the state’s justification, the UPSC stood firm, resulting in the indefinite deferment of the meeting.
Implications for Police Promotions and Governance
The delay in convening the DPC has not only disappointed the eligible officers but also exposed the rift between the state and central oversight mechanisms. It signals a lack of consensus on Gupta’s status as acting DGP and brings into focus the procedural scrutiny of top appointments in the state police hierarchy.
Observers note that the dispute could affect not only promotional timelines but also morale within the police force, especially as no new date has been announced for rescheduling the meeting.
Questions Mount Over Acting DGP Appointment
The development raises broader concerns about the legitimacy and transparency in the selection of the state’s highest-ranking police official. It remains unclear whether the state government will reconsider its stance or nominate an alternative representative acceptable to the UPSC.
Until the matter is resolved, the promotion process remains frozen, leaving the administrative machinery in a state of flux.
