Race for the appointment of a Director General of Police for Telangana has begun in the right earnest as the State Government has set the process in motion. There are six senior IPS officers with the designation of DGPs in the State, the State Government will send the list of these officers to the Union Public Service Commission which will shortlist three names. The State Government will then take a final decision.
The list includes the present in charge DGP Anurag Sharma, who as the junior most in the panel was facing possible legal challenge to his appointment. While Sharma belongs to 1982 batch of IPS, other officers range from 1979 to 1981. Three of these officers are on Central deputation. They are; Aruna Bahuguna (1979 batch) Director, National Police Academy (NPA), Navneet Rajan Vasan, Director, National Investigation Agency, Durga Prasad, Special DG, CRPF.
The other two in the race are Taruni Prasad Das, Head of Enforcement and Vigilance and AK Khan, Director General, Anti Corruption Bureau. All the six contenders have been asked to send their detailed bio data with the record of their past postings and major achievements to enable the UPSC shortlist them on the basis of merit.
State Chief Secretary Rajiv Sharma has asked the concerned officials to expedite the process so a final decision is taken at the earliest. Since its formation on June 2 last, the Telangana State was doing with only an in charge DGP. Same situation was prevailing in the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh where JV Ramudu was serving as the DGP. His appointment was challenged in the court by two senior IPS officers including SA Huda. But, a few days ago they informed the court that they were withdrawing their petition.