Tripura: Manik Sarkar writes to CM Biplab over lowering experience on DGP appointment

On the vacant post of the Director-General of Police, the Supreme Court granted the Tripura Government a one-time relaxation relating to work experience due to dearth of the required number of IPS officer.

However, in a letter written to Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, Opposition leader Manik Sarkar saw red in this and expressed his ‘surprise’ at relaxing required minimum service by five years for one time.

At present only two IPS officers – VS Yadav and Amitabha Ranjan, after Joydeep Naik took a voluntary retirement - are eligible for the DG post. As no other IPS officer satisfy the mandatory minimum of 30 years of work experiences, a panel consisting of three eligible IPS Officers could not be formed.

After the Apex Court granted State Government’s plea for lowering the minimum work experience to 25 year for one time due to serious crisis of eligible IPS officers in the State, four other IPS officers including S S Chaturvedi, Rajiv Singh, Anurag and Punit Rastogi have become eligible for the consideration to be elevated to the rank of DG.

However, Manik Sarkar was ‘surprised as the Apex Court lowered the mandatory work experiences. In his letter to the Chief Minister, he said, “This may cause confusion, unhappiness and heartburning to other IPS officers who have already touched/crossed the normal limit of work or gathering experiences to discharge responsibilities of this premier post.

Also read: Tripura: Students’ body demands inclusion of Kokborok as desirable language in Govt exams

This may not create a healthy and cordial atmosphere in the police administration.”

In the same letter he also expressed his ‘utter surprise’, at ‘disbanding’ the Prosecution Directorate of Tripura. This organization, since its inception in 2010 after an order of the Supreme Court remained Director-less and ran with 3-4 skeletal staff under a Deputy Director. Even during the Manik Sarkar led LF Government, the Directorate had no meaningful activities – it was like ‘no one’s baby’. Sarkar, however, refrained from, explaining as to how annulment of this Directorate will bound to deprive the Government, police and the society.

Sarkar also raised question on utility of appointing Special Police Officers (SPOs).

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