The long-pending promotions of state police service officers (DSP cadre) to the Indian Police Service (IPS) cadre have once again hit a roadblock after the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) refused to recognise Anurag Gupta as the Director General of Police (DGP) of Jharkhand.
The stalemate has delayed the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) meeting, casting uncertainty over the career progression of several senior officers.
According to rules, IPS promotions from the state cadre require a DPC meeting convened through the UPSC. The committee usually comprises the state’s Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, and the DGP as members.
A meeting scheduled recently was expected to review promotion files of 17 senior DSP-rank officers against nine vacant posts in the IPS cadre. Chief Secretary Alka Tiwari, Home Secretary Vandana Dadel, and DGP Anurag Gupta had travelled to New Delhi to attend the meeting.
However, UPSC declined to accept Gupta as Jharkhand’s DGP, leading to the cancellation of the meeting.
Sources revealed that UPSC also rejected the state government’s arguments in support of Gupta and did not fix a fresh date for the meeting.
To resolve the deadlock, Jharkhand’s Home Department has written to the UPSC, requesting that either Gupta be allowed to participate as DGP or the promotions be processed in the absence of a DGP.
The state government has expressed concern that repeated delays are unfairly affecting eligible officers. Officials have urged the UPSC to expedite the process by scheduling a new date at the earliest.
With nine IPS posts lying vacant, the delay in the DPC meeting has heightened frustration among officers awaiting elevation, even as the tussle over the state’s DGP appointment continues.
Also read: Charges to be framed against senior officials: Jharkhand HC
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