The West Bengal government is busy preparing the list of top-ranking IPS officers to be considered for appointment to the DGP post, as current incumbent Siddh Nath Gupta (IPS:1992:WB)’s tenure is ending in October. The state govt will send the panel soon to the UPSC for empanelment.
Seven to eight DG-rank officers are likely to make it to the govt’s list based on their seniority, service records and individual cases. As per the norms, the UPSC will select three names out of which the state govt will pick one name for appointment to the top post.
The names being prominently discussed include 1991-batch officers Anuj Sharma, Natarajan Ramesh Babu, 1993-batch officers Peeyush Pandey and Praveen Kumar, and 1994-batch officer Niraj Kumar Singh.
Besides, there are the three 1995-batch officers, who might make to the state panel. They are Jawed Shamim, Ajey Mukund Ranade and R Sivakumar, though Ranade, now DG (Law & Order) is due to retire this year itself and hence is unlikely to be considered.
Both Sharma and Ramesh Babu are the senior-most officers. While Sharma is currently serving as DG (Fire), Ramesh Babu is currently DG (CID) & DG (Jails).
Peeyush Pandey, who served as an acting DGP after the superannuation of Rajeev Kumar in January, is another contender. His batchmate Praveen Kumar, now on central deputation as DG in the BSF, might return to the state if Centre gives its nod.
Similarly, another contender is Niraj Kumar Singh from the 1994 batch is currently Chairman of the West Bengal Police Recruitment Board.
As the state govt prepares to send its list to the UPSC for shortlisting, the final say rests with the Chief Minister.
But there is a hitch, as the state govt might prefer giving another tenure extension to Gupta in the light of the forthcoming civic polls likely to be held in November this year. The civic poll is an important event as this is going to be the first election after the change of power in the state.
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