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Ex-IAS Awanish Awasthi’s tenure as UP CM’s advisor extended fourth time

By
LO Bureau
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Ex-IAS Awanish Awasthi

Former UP cadre IAS officer Awanish Awasthi’s tenure as advisor to UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has been extended for the fourth time till February 28, 2027. He has been on uninterrupted extensions since 2023. Awasthi’s closeness with CM Yogi can be gauged from the fact that he was accompanying the CM on his five-day tour of Singapore and Japan to lure investors and just returned to Lucknow on Friday only to be greeted with another extension in a row.

This latest extension is being held in the bureaucratic circles as a Holi gift from CM Yogi to one of his most trusted lieutenants. 

Awasthi had been awarded a third extension for a year in 2025 following the conclusion of the Maha Kumbh. His tenure was due to expire on Feb 28, 2026.

Even during Yogi Adityanath’s first term as UP Chief Minister, Awanish Awasthi served as Principal Secretary in the crucial Home and Information Departments.

It needs special mention that a temporary post of administrative advisor was created to accommodate Awasthi after his retirement in 2022. After his first term ended on Feb 28, 2023, it was temporarily extended from March 1, 2023, to February 29, 2024. His term was then extended a second time, from March 1, 2024, to February 28, 2025. Then the third time from March 1, 2025, to Feb 28, 2026. And this is the fourth one, from March 1, 2026, to Feb 28, 2027. And the counting goes on….

However, Awasthi is not alone on Yogi’s advisory board. Rather, he is one of four advisors to the UP CM. The three others are GN Singh, KV Raju, and DP Singh. 

Awasthi’s close proximity to Yogi is hardly a secret, as he has been known as one of the most trusted advisors to the CM, and this latest extension is considered crucial as he will be serving as Yogi’s advisor in the run-up to the assembly elections scheduled to be held in 2027.

An IIT Kanpur alumnus and 1987 batch IAS, Awanish Awasthi retired from the post of Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) to the Chief Minister, Home and Confidentiality, and Civil Aviation on August 31, 2022.

Despite reshuffle in Haryana forest deptt ground reality exposes cadre mismatch

By
LO Bureau
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cadre mismatch in forests deptt

Despite the Haryana govt’s latest transfer and posting orders reshuffling Indian Forest Service (IFoS) and Haryana Forest Service (HFoS) officers across forest divisions, training institutes, wildlife wings, headquarters, and Haryana Forest Development Corporation (HFDC), the ground is: control of key forest divisions remains largely unchanged. A closer analysis of the Feb 20 order exposes a cadre mismatch between sanctioned cadre posts and actual postings.

That is the reason why, despite the reshuffle, a large number of IFoS officers remain in non-field or supervisory roles, even though their primary mandate is territorial forest management. Several officers continue in HFDC, headquarters-linked assignments, training or research posts, or against vacant and interim positions.

Several IFoS officers are posted to the positions officially earmarked as HFoS cadre posts. These include DFO (seed collection), Pinjore, GM HFDC, Kurukshetra, DCF Rewari, and Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) (training) at Sohna and Pinjore. The order itself annotates these posts as belonging to the State Service cadre, yet IFoS officers man them. As a result, All-India Service officers remain concentrated in monitoring, training, and specialised roles rather than senior territorial field positions.

Similarly, the reverse arrangement continues in frontline divisions. State Service officers are posted as Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs) in territorial divisions designated as IFoS cadre posts, which include Pinjore, Yamunanagar, and Nuh. The analysis of the order flagged these as senior IFS field postings, but HFoS officers continue to hold them after relieving IFoS officers.

The order also clarifies that DFO (HQ) is an HFoS cadre post, despite being a supervisory assignment, pointing to how cadre officers and posts are freely interchanged rather than aligned.

Haryana has 16 sanctioned DCF posts, the senior-most field positions meant to be held strictly by IFS officers. At present, only nine of these posts are occupied by cadre officers, with the remaining divisions run by HFoS officers, despite the fact that trained IFoS officers are available and waiting for posting.

The IFS Officers’ Association, in its representation to the Chief Secretary, on Feb 19, said the arrangement violates the IFS (Cadre) Rules, 1966, which require sanctioned IFS posts to be filled by cadre officers. Non-cadre appointments are allowed only in exceptional or temporary situations and require the central government’s approval if they continue beyond three months. The association said no such approval was obtained.

Bengal govt likely to send its panel for DGP appointment to UPSC by Feb 27

By
LO Bureau
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Bengal govt sends list of IPS to EC

The West Bengal government is reliably learnt to be preparing its list of eligible IPS officers to forward it to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) by Feb 27 for the appointment of a regular DGP. The UPSC had asked the state govt to forward the list of eligible officers to it for consideration for a new DGP.

The IPS officer, Peeyush Pandey (IPS:1993:WB), is currently serving as the acting DGP. The last full-time DGP was Rajeev Kumar’s predecessor, Manoj Malviya, who retired in 2023.

According to government sources, the state govt has already started the process of selecting the officers for recommending them to the UPSC for shortlisting. It is being done after receiving the communication from the UPSC.

Going by the seniority list, the most probable name for the regular DGP post is Anuj Sharma (IPS:1991:WB), currently posted as the Director General of the West Bengal Fire and Emergency Services Department.

The other names likely to be included in the state govt’s panel are acting DGP Peeyush Pandey (IPS:1993:WB); Natarajan Ramesh Babu (IPS:1991:WB), serving as DG (Home Guard); Siddh Nath Gupta (IPS:1992:WB), currently posted as DG of the state correctional services; and Sanjay Singh (IPS:1993:WB), serving as DG of the Civil Defence department.

The state govt appointed Piyush Pandey as the acting DGP of the state police after the retirement of the other acting DGP, Rajeev Kumar, on January 31 this year.

Needless to point out here that there have been complications regarding the appointment of a regular DGP for the state for a long time. But after the Supreme Court’s Feb 5 order directing the UPSC to initiate the process for appointing a regular DGP in every state, it is now believed to finally break the deadlock.

Andhra court issues non-bailable arrest warrant against Bihar IPS Sunil Nayak

By
LO Bureau
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Sunil Kumar Nayak, IPS

The drama that unfolded with the arrest of senior Bihar IPS officer M Sunil Nayak by Andhra Pradesh police in Patna on Monday and his subsequent release on Tuesday due to denial of transit remand by the jurisdictional court continues unabated.

The Andhra Pradesh Police seems to be hell-bent on re-arresting him in connection with the alleged custodial torture case involving former YSR Congress MP and current Andhra Assembly Deputy Speaker K Raghu Ramakrishna Raju (RRR).

On Wednesday, Nayak, who is currently posted as Inspector General in the Bihar Fire Services Department, moved the Andhra High Court seeking anticipatory bail. The hearing on his bail petition is yet to begin. 

On Thursday, the Andhra Police secured a non-bailable arrest warrant against him from a mobile court in Guntur.

Just after securing the arrest warrant, the police swung into action and began efforts to locate and arrest him. But Nayak too moved to scuttle the Andhra Police action, as sources said soon after the report of the Guntur court issuing the arrest warrant, Nayak switched off his phone and went underground.

Naik, who moved to Andhra Pradesh on deputation, was serving as the DIG of the CID at the time the incident of alleged custodial torture of the then YSR Congress MP took place in 2021, resulting in Nayak being named as an accused in the case registered in the Nagarampalem police station in Guntur district.

Sunil Kumar Nayak IPS, Andhra Pradesh Police, Custodial torture case,

Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari recommended as Next Chief Justice of Madras High Court

By
LO Bureau
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The Supreme Court Collegium on Thursday (February 27, 2026) recommended the name of Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari as the next Chief Justice of the Madras High Court. He is currently serving as a Judge of the Kerala High Court.

The present Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava, will retire on March 5, 2026. The recommendation has been made before his retirement to avoid a vacancy.

Now, the proposal will go to the President of India. After the President approves it and issues the warrant of appointment, Justice Dharmadhikari will take oath as the 55th Chief Justice of the Madras High Court.

Supreme Court Collegium recommends elevation of 9 Advocates as Patna High Court Judges

By
LO Bureau
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Patna High Court

The Supreme Court Collegium in its meeting held on February 26, 2026, recommended the elevation of nine Advocates as Judges of the Patna High Court.

The recommended names are:

  1. Md. Nadim Seraj
  2. Ranjan Kumar Jha
  3. Kumar Manish
  4. Sanjeev Kumar
  5. Girijish Kumar
  6. Alok Kumar
  7. Raj Kumar
  8. Rana Vikram Singh
  9. Vikash Kumar

Big IAS Shake-Up in Telangana; 12 Districts Get New Collectors

By
LO Bureau
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Telangana

The Telangana government on Wednesday (February 25, 2026) carried out a major reshuffle in the IAS cadre, transferring and posting 45 officers across key departments, districts and corporations. As part of the exercise, 12 districts have been given new Collectors and District Magistrates.

The names and postings of the officers are as follows:

  1. Sanjay Kumar (IAS:1995:TG), Special Chief Secretary, Industries & Commerce and ITE&C Department, has been transferred and posted as Special Chief Secretary, PR & RD, RWS & RSAD Department.
  2. Sabyasachi Ghosh (IAS:1994:TG), Special Chief Secretary, Implementation of Flagship Welfare & Development Schemes Unit, has been re-designated as Special Chief Secretary, Implementation of Flagship Welfare & Development Schemes Unit and Corporate Social Responsibility.
  3. M Dana Kishore (IAS:1996:TG), Special Chief Secretary, LET&F Department, has been placed in FAC of Special Chief Secretary (Disaster Management), Revenue Department.
  4. N Sridhar (IAS:1997:TG), Principal Secretary, PR & RD, RWS & RSAD Department, has been transferred and posted as Principal Secretary, ITE&C and Industries & Commerce Department. He will continue to hold FAC of Principal Secretary, Mines & Geology.
  5. Rahul Bojja (IAS:2000:TG), Principal Secretary, I&CAD Department, has been transferred and posted as Principal Secretary (Political), General Administration Department. He will also hold FAC of Principal Secretary, BC Welfare Department.
  6. E Sridhar (IAS:2004:TG), Secretary, BC Welfare Department, has been transferred and posted as Secretary, Irrigation and CAD Department.
  7. Dr Gaurav Uppal (IAS:2005:TG), Secretary, Coordination (GoI Projects & CSS), Telangana Bhavan, New Delhi, has been transferred and posted as Secretary, Finance & Planning Department and EO DG, TGRAC. He will also hold FAC of Managing Director, TGMSIDC.
  8. B Vijiendra (IAS:2006:TG), Collector & District Magistrate, Mahabubnagar, has been transferred and posted as Secretary, Telangana Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society (TGSWREIS) and Commissioner, Scheduled Castes Development.
  9. D Divya (IAS:2010:TG), CEO, SERP, has been placed in FAC of State Nodal Officer, Prajavani.
  10. Adwait Kumar Singh (IAS:2013:TG), Collector & DM, Mahabubabad, has been transferred and posted as Special Secretary, Coordination (GoI Projects & CSS), Telangana Bhavan, New Delhi.
  11. M Hanumantha Rao (IAS:2013:TG), Collector & DM, Yadadri Bhongir, has been transferred and posted as Director, Endowments. He will also hold FAC of Special Officer, Godavari Pushkaralu.
  12. Sikta Patnaik (IAS:2014:TG), Collector & DM, Narayanpet, has been transferred and posted as Special Secretary, Finance Department.
  13. Sandeep Kumar Jha (IAS:2014:TG), Zonal Commissioner, GHMC, Quthbullapur, has been transferred and posted as Collector & DM, Jangaon.
  14. MD. Musharraf Ali Faruqui (IAS:2014:TG), CMD, TGSPDCL, has been transferred and posted as CMD, 3rd DISCOM (New).
  15. Pamela Satpathy (IAS:2015:TG), Collector & DM, Karimnagar, has been transferred and posted as Special Commissioner, Labour.
  16. Anuraag Jayanti (IAS:2015:TG), Zonal Commissioner, GHMC, Rajendranagar, has been transferred and posted as Collector & DM, Yadadri Bhongir.
  17. Rahul Raj PS (IAS:2015:TG), Collector & DM, Medak, has been transferred and posted as Special Commissioner for Cooperation & Registrar of Cooperative Societies.
  18. Bhavesh Mishra (IAS:2015:TG), Deputy Secretary, ITE&C Department, has been re-designated as Special Secretary, ITE&C Department.
  19. Jitesh V Patil (IAS:2016:TG), Collector & DM, Bhadradri Kothagudem, has been transferred and posted as CMD, TGSPDCL.
  20. Rizwanbasha Shaik (IAS:2017:TG), Collector & DM, Jangaon, has been transferred and posted as Collector & DM, Jogulamba Gadwal.
  21. Santhosh BM (IAS:2017:TG), Collector & DM, Jogulamba Gadwal, has been transferred and posted as Director, Tribal Welfare.
  22. Prateek Jain (IAS:2017:TG), Collector & DM, Vikarabad, has been transferred and posted as Collector & DM, Narayanpet.
  23. Sneha Shabarish (IAS:2017:TG), Collector & DM, Hanamkonda, has been transferred and posted as Collector & DM, Mahabubabad.
  24. P Katyayani Devi (IAS:2017:TG), State Nodal Officer, Prajavani, has been transferred and posted as Joint Managing Director, State Finance Corporation.
  25. G Phaneendra Reddy (IAS:2018:TG), MD, TGMSIDC, has been transferred and posted as Additional Collector (Local Bodies), Narayanpet.
  26. Chitra Mishra (IAS:2019:TG), PO, ITDA, Eturunagaram, has been transferred and posted as Collector & DM, Karimnagar.
  27. Garima Agrawal (IAS:2019:TG), Additional Collector (Local Bodies), Rajanna Sircilla, has been posted as Collector & DM, Rajanna Sircilla.
  28. Deepak Tewari (IAS:2019:TG), Additional Collector (Local Bodies), Kumram Bheem Asifabad, has been transferred and posted as Collector & DM, Vikarabad.
  29. Pratima Singh (IAS:2019:TG), Additional Collector (Local Bodies), Rangareddy, has been transferred and posted as Collector & DM, Medak.
  30. Ankit (IAS:2019:TG), Additional Collector (Local Bodies), Nizamabad, has been transferred and posted as Collector & DM, Bhadradri Kothagudem.
  31. Chahat Bajpai (IAS:2019:TG), Municipal Commissioner, GWMC, Warangal, has been transferred and posted as Collector & DM, Hanamkonda. She will also hold FAC of Municipal Commissioner, GWMC, Warangal.
  32. Khushboo Gupta (IAS:2019:TG), PO, ITDA, Utnoor, has been transferred and posted as Collector & DM, Mahabubnagar.
  33. Manda Makarandu (IAS:2020:TG), Project Director (CMRO), O/o CCLA, has been transferred and posted as Zonal Commissioner, GHMC, Rajendranagar. He will also hold FAC of Project Director (CMRO).
  34. Faizan Ahmed (IAS:2021:TG), Additional Collector (Local Bodies), Nirmal, has been transferred and posted as Additional Collector (Local Bodies), Medchal Malkajgiri.
  35. Shivendra Pratap (IAS:2021:TG), Additional Collector (Local Bodies), Mahabubnagar, has been transferred and posted as Joint Managing Director, Hyderabad Metro Rail Ltd.
  36. Parmar Pinkeshkumar Lalitkumar (IAS:2021:TG), Additional Collector (Local Bodies), Jangaon, has been transferred and posted as Zonal Commissioner, GHMC, Quthbullapur.
  37. Uma Shankar Prasad (IAS:2022:TG), Sub-Collector, Tandur, Vikarabad, has been transferred and posted as Additional Collector (Local Bodies), Vikarabad.
  38. GV Shyam Prasad Lal (IAS-SCS:TG), Joint Secretary, MJP Telangana BC Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society, has been transferred and posted as Additional Collector (Local Bodies), Nagarkurnool.
  39. P Chandraiah (IAS-SCS:TG), Additional Collector, Revenue, Mancherial, has been transferred and posted as Additional Collector (Local Bodies), Mancherial.
  40. YV Ganesh (IAS:SCS:TG), Special Collector, LA, Warangal, has been transferred and posted as Additional Collector (Local Bodies), Warangal.
  41. Abdul Hameed (IAS:SCS:TG), Additional Collector, Revenue, Siddipet, has been transferred and posted as Additional Collector (Local Bodies), Siddipet.
  42. B Venkateshwarlu (IAS:SCS:TG), District Revenue Officer, Karimnagar, has been transferred and posted as Additional Collector (Local Bodies), Nirmal.
  43. N Kheemya Naik (IAS:SCS:TG), Additional Collector, Revenue, Wanaparthy, has been transferred and posted as Additional Collector (Local Bodies), Wanaparthy.
  44. K Vidyasagar, OSD to Chief Secretary, has been transferred and posted as Addl. CEO, Industry & Investment Cell and SPEED.
  45. M Surender, Addl. Registrar Cooperative Societies, has been transferred and posted as Addl. Nodal Officer, Prajavani.

Bihar IPS Sunil Nayak moves Andhra HC seeking anticipatory bail

By
LO Bureau
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Sunil Kumar Nayak, IPS

Senior Bihar IPS officer Sunil Kumar Nayak (IPS:2005:BH), who was arrested by the Andhra Pradesh Police on Monday and had to be let off after being denied transit remand by the Patna court, has now moved the Andhra Pradesh High Court seeking anticipatory bail in the case registered against him by former Andhra MP and Deputy Assembly Speaker K Raghu Ramakrishna Raju (RRR), alleging custodial torture.

Nayak is currently posted as Inspector General (IG) of the Fire Services Department.

The case against Nayak is linked to a 2021 incident in Narsapuram in Guntur district, when Raghu Ramakrishna Raju was arrested.

Subsequently, Raju filed a complaint accusing then CID DIG Sunil Nayak of custodial torture, leading to Nayak being booked under Section 307 (attempt to murder) of the Indian Penal Code.

Nayak had gone to Andhra Pradesh on inter-state deputation in 2019 and was serving as DIG in the Crime Investigation Department (CID) there when it was alleged that the MP’s arrest was carried out at his behest and that Raju was subjected to physical assault while in custody.

Nayak has argued in his petition that the case was politically motivated, and he had no connection with the alleged torture. He has stated that his name did figure in the FIR and it was added later. The witness statements revealed that he was present at the time of the alleged incident, but no one said that he tortured Raju.

The IPS officer has further submitted that his anticipatory bail was earlier rejected by the trial court and that he apprehended arrest in view of the latest attempt made by the Andhra police.

Thus, Nayak has sought interim protection from the High Court against the possible re-arrest pending disposal of the petition.

Punjab govt not inclined to send panel of officers to UPSC for DGP appointment

By
LO Bureau
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Punjab DGP appointment

The Punjab government is reported to be disinclined to send a panel of its eligible IPS officers to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for shortlisting them for the appointment of a regular DGP.

The UPSC initiated the process of appointing a regular DGP for Punjab by asking the state government, through its communication on Feb 18, to send the list of eligible officers to it for consideration by its empanelment committee within ten days in compliance with the Supreme Court’s February 5 order.

But sources in the Punjab government say Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is unlikely to follow the UPSC order to send the panel by February 28.

Sources also revealed that though the list of eligible officers is ready, the state may not involve the UPSC as a policy decision. An official points out that the political decision does not favour any such panel to be sent to the UPSC.

According to the rules, the UPSC empanelment committee is supposed to shortlist three DGP-rank officers based on seniority, experience, and service records, following which the state govt will choose one of them as the regular DGP.

The apex court had slammed the practice of some states having acting DGPs and directed the UPSC to act against the states that delay the process of appointing a regular DGP.

The UPSC, in its letter to the Punjab Chief Secretary on Feb 18, referred to the Supreme Court’s Feb 5 directions, its 2006 judgment in the Prakash Singh case, and SC orders dated July 3, 2018, to request the Punjab govt to send the complete proposal.

However, the fact remains that the Bhagwant Mann government in the state has not sent any panel to the UPSC since its formation in March 2022 and instead appointed Gaurav Yadav (IPS:1992:PB) as acting DGP in July 2022, superseding several senior officers. Yadav has been holding the post for over three years and seven months now. He took over from VK Bhawra, who was allegedly asked to proceed on leave following a law and order problem after the killing of singer Sidhu Moosewala.

Interestingly, even if the panel is sent, acting DGP Gaurav Yadav would most likely be among the three shortlisted panelists, and the state government could appoint him as the full-time head of the state force.

The state govt in June 2023 had passed the Punjab Police (Amendment) Bill, 2023, for the purpose of appointing the DGP on its own through a seven-member empanelment committee. The committee, to be chaired by a retired Chief Justice or Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, with nominees from UPSC, the Punjab Public Service Commission, and others, is to recommend a panel of three officers for a three-year tenure for the regular DGP.

However, the Bill, referred by the Governor for presidential assent due to its implications for All-India Services, remains pending for approval.

It would be interesting to watch the outcome of the state govt’s action in response to the UPSC’s communication sent on Feb 18.

UPSC initiates process of appointing regular DGP for Punjab, seeks panel within 10 days

By
LO Bureau
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Tamil Nadu DGP appointment

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has formally initiated the process of appointing a regular DGP for Punjab by asking the state govt to send the list of eligible officers to it for consideration by its empanelment committee.

The UPSC sent its communication to the Punjab Chief Secretary in this regard on February 18, asking for the complete proposal within ten days in compliance with the Supreme Court’s February 5 order.

The latest UPSC move follows a direction by the Supreme Court on Feb 5 to play a proactive role in ensuring that a regular DGP is appointed in every state. The apex court had slammed the practice of some states having acting DGPs and directed the UPSC to act against the states that delay the process of appointing a regular DGP.

According to the rules, the UPSC empanelment committee is supposed to shortlist three DGP-rank officers based on seniority, experience, and service records, following which the state govt will choose one of them as the regular DGP. Punjab currently has an army of 17 DGP-rank officers.

The empanelment committee consists of the UPSC Chairman or a member acting as chairman, the Union Home Secretary or his nominee (not below the rank of Special Secretary to the Union govt), the head of the Central Police Organisation nominated by the MHA who is not from the same state cadre for which the selection is to be made, the Chief Secretary of the concerned state, and the DGP of that state.

The Bhagwant Mann government in the state had appointed Gaurav Yadav (IPS:1992:PB) as an acting DGP in July 2022, superseding several senior officers. He has been holding the post for over three years and seven months now.

The UPSC, in its letter to the Punjab Chief Secretary, has also referred to the Supreme Court’s Feb 5 directions, its 2006 judgment in the Prakash Singh case, and SC orders dated July 3, 2018, to direct the Punjab govt to send the complete proposal.

The state’s Home Department has since asked the office of the DGP to send a panel of eligible officers since it has “records of the officers.”

The two senior-most IPS officers who belong to the 1989 batch are Sanjeev Kalra and Parag Jain. Kalra is likely out of contention, as he is retiring on February 28, and Jain, who is currently serving as RAW chief on central deputation, is unlikely to return to the state.

Besides, there are four 1992-batch IPS officers, including the acting DGP. The other three DGP-rank officers are Sharad Satya Chauhan, Harpreet Singh Sidhu, and Kuldeep Singh. Despite the initial controversy over his appointment, Yadav remains a frontrunner for the permanent post.

It is noteworthy here that the Punjab Assembly had passed the Punjab Police (Amendment) Bill 2023 for selecting the DGP by its own seven-member empanelment committee. But the bill is said to be lying with the President after being referred by the Governor.

The UPSC’s letter does not forget to remind the Punjab govt about the apex court’s warning that if the states fail to submit timely proposals, the commission is authorised to move an application before it for enforcement with “necessary consequences” for those responsible for the delay.

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