Punjab Cabinet okays amendment to law for DGP’s appointment

Chandigarh, Aug 27: The Punjab Cabinet on Monday approved an amendment to the Punjab Police Act of 2007 to facilitate setting up of a state police commission to select the Director General of Police (DGP) in compliance with an apex court order.

The Punjab Police (Amendment) Bill, 2018 will be tabled in the ongoing Vidhan Sabha session, an official spokesperson said here.

The Punjab Police Act, 2007 which was enacted on February 5, 2008, did not provide for the DGP’s selection from a panel prepared by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

The state’s Congress government led by Amarinder Singh had sought the Advocate General’s opinion in the matter of appointment of the DGP since the incumbent Suresh Arora is due to retire on September 30.

Based on the recommendations of Advocate General Atul Nanda, the Cabinet decided to amend Sections 6, 15, 27, 28 and 32 to bring the 2007 Act in line with a court judgment on the matter.

The state government decided to bring in the amendment to the 2007 law to enable the constitution of a state police commission for the DGP’s appointment while deciding to seek a review of the Supreme Court order of July 3 that directed states to choose and appoint their DGP from a panel to be constituted by the UPSC based on the proposal by the state concerned.

The Cabinet also approved a draft bill to ensure quality control of cattle feed, which will be taken up in the ongoing Assembly session.

It also approved modifications to the existing dispute resolution and litigation policy to check growing litigation in government departments.

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