CISF headless since January 22; government yet to appoint DG
What's the story
CISF, the country's front line security force against terror threats at civilian airports and strategic nuclear and aerospace installations, has been functioning without a regular chief for over a month now as the Centre is yet to appoint a Director General (DG).
The force of over 1.80 lakh personnel has been without a regular DG since January 22.
Here's more.
Decision making
It has slowed down the force's process of decision-making
The force became headless after serving chief OP Singh was repatriated to his cadre, on the request of the Uttar Pradesh government, and appointed the state's director general of police (DGP).
Notably, the process of decision-making and making large policy moves in the force has slowed down owing to the absence of the designated chief, official sources said.
Statement
This is not a healthy precedent: Retired IPS officer
Retired IPS officer Prakash Singh said, "This is not a healthy precedent and it is happening again and again in the Central Armed Police Forces. This shows that the government has utter disregard for the importance of such an important paramilitary force."
However, in their defense, Union home ministry sources said that the process of appointing the CISF chief is ongoing for a month.
Details
Panel of eligible names has been prepared, nothing more happened
Presently, Additional DG of the force A K Pateria is handling the top charge in an additional capacity.
While a panel of names of eligible IPS officers has been prepared, nothing has moved after that.
"Hopefully, the decision should come sooner than later and a repeat of the last year incident of hurriedly appointing the CRPF DG does not occur," a paramilitary officer said.