Rajasthan: UK Sahoo Appointed RPSC Chairman; Race Begins for Next DGP

In a major reshuffle at the top level of Rajasthan Police, incumbent Director General of Police (DGP) Utkan Ranjan Sahoo (IPS:1988:RJ) has been appointed Chairman of the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC). The post had been lying vacant for several months.

Sahoo had applied for voluntary retirement (VRS), which the state government has accepted. In a simultaneous decision, he was entrusted with the new constitutional responsibility of heading the state’s public service recruitment body.

With Sahoo’s exit from the police force, speculation is rife in administrative and political circles about his successor. Three names are currently dominating the discussions:

• Rajeev Sharma (IPS:1990:RJ), presently on central deputation as DG, Bureau of Police Research & Development (BPR&D), is considered the frontrunner. Sharma is the senior-most IPS officer in the Rajasthan cadre and is known for his clean record, administrative efficiency, and is said to enjoy the confidence of both the Centre and the current Rajasthan government.
• Sanjay Agarwal (IPS:1992:RJ), currently serving as Director General, Intelligence, is also seen as a credible candidate. Agarwal has a reputation for integrity and is believed to be a trusted officer of the state administration. He has not only been associated with the security strategy of Rajasthan, but has also enjoyed the trust of the political leadership for a long time, making him a strong contender.
• Rajesh Nirwan (IPS:1992:RJ), presently on central deputation as DG of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).

However, Rajeev Sharma appears to have an edge over Sanjay Agarwal and Rajesh Nirwan.

According to reliable sources, the state government has already forwarded a panel of senior IPS officers to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for consideration. The names include:

• Rajeev Kumar Sharma (IPS:1990:RJ)
• Rajesh Nirwan (IPS:1992:RJ)
• Sanjay Kumar Agarwal (IPS:1992:RJ)
• Govind Gupta (IPS:1993:RJ)
• Rajesh Arya (IPS:1994:RJ)
• Anil Paliwal (IPS:1994:RJ)
• Anand Kumar Shrivastava (IPS:1994:RJ)
• Ashok Kumar Rathore (IPS:1994:RJ)
• Malini Agarwal (IPS:1994:RJ)

The UPSC is expected to shortlist three names from this panel and send the final list to the state government. The formal appointment of the new DGP will follow thereafter. In the meantime, the announcement of an acting DGP is expected shortly.