Jharkhand on Friday got a regular Director General of Police and State Election Commissioner after the gap of nearly a year. Niraj Sinha, a 1987 batch IPS officer, who was named as new DGP replacing M V Rao assumed office today at the State police headquarters.  The State home prison and disaster management department on Thursday evening issued a notification regarding appointment of Sinha as new police head. Sinha, prior to his new role was ADGP of the anti-corruption bureau.

Sinha, talking to media persons after taking his new role, said that his priority will be to carry forward the good works of his predecessors and continue the campaign against Naxalites in the State. The new DGP also said that maintaining law and order will be the focus of police. Also the police force will work towards improving public-police relationships.

While on one hand State got a permanent DGP, in another development former Chief Secretary Dr Devendra Kumar Tiwari, who was appointed as the new State Election Commissioner of the State on Tuesday, took charge of office.

Tiwari, the IAS officer of 1986 batch has been appointed for the tenure of three years from the date of assuming charge of office or till the date he attains the age of 64 years. Tiwari taking charge as the new State Election Commissioner said, “Focus will be holding the panchayat election on time. The state election commission will talk with government on holding panchyat election on time.”

Sources said that the three-tier panchayat polls due in November-December in the State were put on hold due to Covid 19 pandemic and vacancies at top positions in State Election Commission. Sources said with appointment of State Election Commissioner the process for election will gain momentum.

As three tier panchayat bodies are agencies, which execute the developmental works in the rural areas their role gains importance. The elected panchayat representatives are custodians of development funds in rural areas.

The State government, till the elections to the three tier panchayats are not held in State, had formed groups or committees in each panchayats as per Panchayati Raj system. Public representatives who have worked under the Panchayati Raj system were included in the group or committee. The alternative system will function till the panchayats polls are not conducted.