Chandigarh, Feb 26: The Punjab government has indicated it may not toe the Centre’s directive regarding the selection of the Director General of Police through the Union Public Service Commission. According to government sources, the state is prioritizing its own legislative path, despite recent communications from federal authorities and the judiciary.
The UPSC recently issued a letter to the Punjab Chief Secretary, referencing a Supreme Court order that criticized the use of “acting DGP” arrangements. The federal body urged the state to submit a proposal for a merit-based, transparent selection process. However, a state official declared that the political decision as of today is that no panel will be sent to the commission.
The dispute stems from the Punjab Police (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which proposes a seven-member empanelment committee chaired by a retired judge to recommend police leadership. While this Bill remains pending for Presidential assent, the state government has maintained its preference for this localized system.
“I think the state’s position on our own legislation is clear,” a source in the administration maintained. The official asserted that moving back to the UPSC process would represent a reversal of the assembly’s democratic decision.
Records indicate that several 1992-batch IPS officers are currently eligible for the top post. While the senior-most officer, Parag Jain, is currently serving as the head of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) on central deputation, other senior officers remain within the state cadre.
The Supreme Court had previously noted that prolonged interim appointments violate the spirit of the 2006 Prakash Singh judgment. Nevertheless, the Punjab government continues to seek a “pragmatic” resolution that respects the state’s legislative autonomy while ensuring stable police leadership.
