Bhubaneswar: UPSC is likely to shortlist three IPS officers for the post of Odisha DGP on Thursday, from whom the state govt will appoint the next police chief. Sources said the govt will name the next DGP moments after the UPSC sends it the shortlist.Under the prescribed procedure, the UPSC must prepare a shortlist of three candidates based on seniority, merit and an unblemished service record. The state govt is legally bound to choose the next DGP from this panel. Incumbent DGP Y B Khurania is due to retire on Aug 16, leaving little time to complete the selection process.The DGP appointment process sparked a political slugfest between the BJD and BJP. BJD Rajnagar MLA Dhruva Charan Sahoo said the controversy had diminished the state’s dignity as the issue reached the Supreme Court, pointing out a PIL was filed alleging violation of norms by the state. Calling the development unprecedented, BJD MLA Arun Kumar Sahoo alleged that it reflected “operational lapses” and “ulterior motives” on the part of the govt.Hitting back, revenue and disaster management minister Suresh Pujari said, “The BJD has no moral authority to question the process.” He alleged that when the party was in power, it had tried to prevent former DGP Prakash Mishra from becoming CBI director. Pujari said the DGP appointment would be made strictly in accordance with established guidelines.Meanwhile, the SC on Wednesday did not take up a PIL alleging that the Odisha govt was attempting to bypass the apex court’s guidelines on DGP appointments by including an ineligible officer in the selection process.
