With the retirement of IPS officer R Awasthi, Director General, Civil Defence & Home Guards, Meghalaya, who has been acting as the in-charge DGP of Meghalaya, RP Agarwal, DG (Prisons), Meghalaya, has been given additional charge of the office of DGP, Meghalaya with effect from September 30, 2018.
It may be mentioned that since the retirement of former Director General of Police (DGP), Meghalaya, SB Singh, on July 31, 2018, the State is yet to have a full-fledged DGP.
Meghalaya Home Minister James Sangma recently told media persons that the State Government was awaiting the response from the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) regarding the matter.
An order issued by the Meghalaya Governor on September 28, 2018, read: “Pending approval of the Union Public Service Commission and in the interest of public services, RP Agarwal, Director General (Prisons), Meghalaya, is temporarily allowed to look after the office of the Director General of Police, Meghalaya, in addition to his own current duties with effect from the date of retirement of R Awasthi, IPS, Director General, Civil Defence & Home Guards, Meghalaya on September 30, 2018.”
“This order shall immediately cease on appointment of a full-fledged Director General of Polio, (Head of Police force), Meghalaya,” the order further stated.
According to reports, it was only on July 30, 2018 a day before former DGP SB Singh was to retire, that the Meghalaya Government had filed a petition before the Supreme Court to explore the possibility of appointing an acting DGP.
Reports said all the requirements have been completed by the State Government and it is up to the UPSC to take the next move.
The State Government has already sent necessary reports in connection with with aspiring candidates for the post of the Director General of Police, Meghalaya to the UPSC.