By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The present DGP N Ramachandran is unlikely to get an extension as the State Security Commission (SSC) will meet to select a new police chief on Thursday.
The SSC meeting will be chaired by Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma for empanelment of five senior most police officers of Assam-Meghalaya cadre for promotion to the post of DGP, official sources said.
The sources also added that the extension of Ramachandran is unlikely.
The State Security Commission was first constituted on August 2, 2011 with the Chief Minister as Chairman and Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh as Vice Chairman.
State Opposition Leader Conrad K. Sangma along with Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary, Home (Police) are members of the Commission while retired official PJ Bazeley and advocate, VGK Kynta are independent members.
The Meghalaya Police Act 2010 provides constitution of SSC.
As far selection or appointment of a DGP is concerned, section 6 (1) of the Act lays down that the State Government will appoint a DGP from among the five eligible senior most officers who have been empanelled for promotion by SSC and the Act also provides that the DGP so appointed should have a minimum tenure of one year subject to his normal date of superannuation.
The Supreme Court of India in a landmark decision on September 22, 2006 in the case of Prakash Singh and others versus Union of India had issued directions to the Central and State Governments along with the Union Territories that till framing of appropriate legislations, the respective State Governments are to constitute the SSC to ensure that the State Government does not exercise unwarranted influence or pressure on the State police and for laying down broad policy guidelines so that the State police acts according to the laws of the land and the Constitution of the country.
The recommendation of the Commission shall be binding on the state government.
The judgment also stipulates that the DGP of the state shall be selected by the state government from among the three senior most officers of the department who have been empanelled for promotion to that rank by the Union Public Service Commission on the basis of the length of service, very good record and range of experience for heading the Police force.