People are so attuned to bureaucratic reshuffle after the change of political dispensation that it becomes a talking point if no such change is affected immediately. This is what is exactly happening in Odisha. The new dispensation in form of BJP’s Mohan Majhi-led Odisha government came into being around three months back, but there has been no reshuffle at the IPS level despite the fact that IAS officers have been transferred twice since then.
The issue has stirred up a discussion in the political corridor. The immediate reason behind such concern is provided by the fact that there has been a steady rise in the crime graph in the state.
The discussion has brought to fore a bizarre reality that the state is grappling with an acute shortage of IPS officers. Out of its strength of 136 IPS officers, Odisha is currently managing its policing system with only 89 officers. Though seven positions are vacant, some are on centre’s deputation or posted outside the state. The situation is so grim that many DIG rank officers are serving as district SPs of Khorda, Rourkela, Berhampur and Angul and Cuttack. Yet, the crime is rising and even bureaucrats feel the remedy lies in reshuffle.
