SHILLONG, May 16: As expected, the state government on Monday appointed Lajja Ram Bishnoi as the Director-General of Police.
He is an Assam-Meghalaya cadre IPS officer of the 1991 batch and was a frontrunner for the top post.
A notification issued by the Home (political) department said, “From amongst the empanelled list of IPS Officers duly recommended by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in its meeting held on 9th February, 2022 and in the interest of public service, the Governor of Meghalaya is pleased to appoint Dr Lajja Ram Bishnoi IPS (RR 1991), Special Director-General of Police (Head of Police Force), Meghalaya, Shillong in the Apex Scale of Pay (Level 17) in the Pay Matrix with effect from the date of taking over charge and until further orders.”
Bishnoi is currently serving as the Special Director-General (Training and Armed Police), Assam Police. He will take over from acting DGP, Idashisha Nongrang, who was recently promoted as Special DGP.
The Shillong Times had earlier reported about strong lobbying by a former DGP of Meghalaya for Bishnoi’s appointment in the post.
Apart from Bishnoi, the other candidates shortlisted were Assam’s Special DGP, Mukesh Agarwal and KV Singh Deo (both 1989 batch).
Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma had earlier said the names of the officers were proposed by the UPSC based on seniority, availability of individuals and their readiness to take up the assignment.
“Based on this, the top three names in the seniority list were sent to the state government. We will take a decision on the new DGP after following all necessary procedures,” Sangma had said.
Appointing any shortlisted officer is the state government’s prerogative.
