In a significant development, Punjab Chief Secretary KAP Sinha has stalled the promotion process of eight senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officers from the rank of Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) to Director General of Police (DGP). This decision has raised critical questions about the efficiency and management of the state’s police force in the face of pressing law and order challenges.
The move was confirmed by Home Secretary Gurkirat Kirpal Singh, who acknowledged that the file, flagged with objections by the Chief Secretary, has been forwarded to the Personnel Department for further review.
The officers affected by this decision include Dr. Naresh Kumar, Ram Singh, S.S. Srivastava, V. Neerja, Amardeep Singh Rai, Parveen Kumar Sinha, B. Chandra Sekhar, and Anita Punj.
Discrepancies in Rules and Cadre Management
Reliable sources revealed that Chief Secretary Sinha has raised concerns regarding the number of sanctioned DGP posts in Punjab. Official records indicate that the state is authorized to have only two sanctioned DGP positions, though additional posts can be temporarily created for a maximum of two years as per the Government of India’s personnel department guidelines.
Presently, Punjab’s gradation list of IPS officers includes 15 DGP-ranked officers, with two—Parag Jain and Harpreet Sidhu—on central deputation. If the promotions were approved, the total strength would rise to 23, prompting concerns about compliance with cadre rules and resource optimization.
Sinha has also flagged contradictions in the rules submitted by the Home Department concerning these promotions. The promotion process, initiated in November by the department for eight ADGPs from the 1994 batch, is now under scrutiny.
Context of Promotions in IPS Cadre
IPS officers in Punjab follow a vertical tenure-based promotion system, allowing officers with 30, 25, and 18 years of service to qualify for DGP, ADGP, and IG ranks, respectively. However, promoting officers with 30 years of service to DGP ranks has become a widespread trend across states, leading to an inflated cadre structure.
This situation underscores the need for clarity and consistency in cadre management rules, especially in a state like Punjab, where maintaining a robust police force is vital.
The matter now awaits further deliberation in the Personnel Department, with stakeholders closely monitoring its resolution.
