The Uttar Pradesh government has approved a new set of rules giving itself the authority to appoint the Director General of Police (DGP) at the state level. In a recent cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the 'Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh Selection and Appointment Rules 2024' policy was approved, which mandates a nomination committee headed by a retired High Court judge, with a minimum tenure of two years for the DGP.
"The objective of the Appointment Rules, 2024 is to establish an independent and transparent mechanism for the selection of a suitable person for appointment to the post of DGP to ensure that the said selection is free from political or executive interference and is also in accordance with the specific conditions and policing requirements of Uttar Pradesh," the new guidelines said.
What Does The New Rule Say?
- Under the new rules, the UP government will not have to send names to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) panel for the appointment of the state police chief.
- The selection committee will be headed by a retired high court judge and have the chief secretary, a UPSC nominee, an Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission chairman or nominee, a Home Department additional chief secretary or principal secretary, and a retired state DGP as its members.
- To be eligible for selection, candidates must have six months of service remaining on the date of creation of the vacancy.
- Only those officers who are currently serving in the DG role at Level 16 of the Pay Matrix will be considered.
- The minimum tenure of the DGP will be two years.
The new rules adhere to the Supreme Court directives for the removal of DGP before the completion of the stipulated two-year term in case of criminal charges, corruption or failure to perform duties effectively. "They are in line with the directives issued by the SC to states in the case of Prakash Singh and Others vs Union of India in which the court asked for the enactment of a new police law to ensure that police are free from external pressures, safeguard citizen's rights and uphold the rule of law," the guideline said.