Meghalaya Govt appoints IPS R.A Awasthi as temporary DGP amidst resentment

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TNT News | Shillong | July 31, 2018

Meghalaya Government has today appointed IPS RA Awasthi as the temporary DGP of state until a full fledged DGP takes charge.

The notification released in this regard today read:

"Pending approval of the Union Public Service Commission and in the interest of public services, RA Awasthi, IPS, Director General , Civil Defence & Home Guards, Meghalaya, Shillong has been temporarily allowed to look after the office of DGP in the state in addition to his own current duties.

This comes into effect from the date of retirement of SB Singh, IPS, DGP (Head of Police Force) on July 31, 2018".

The order will however cease on appointment of a full fledged DGP.

It may however be recalled that there has been resentments from various sections of the police in the state opposing the appointment of Awasthi as the DGP.

It may be mentioned that Awasthi, who belongs to the 1985 batch, is the senior most IPS officer serving in the State.Their apprehension is linked to the appointment of a person with a criminal record to the post of DGP. 

According to sources, the Meghalaya Government had filed a petition to request the Apex Court to extend the service of the present DGP, SB Singh. In response, the Supreme Court observed that the Government does not require to extend the service. The court, at the same time, asked the Government to appoint a full fledged DGP.