State applies brakes on IPS, IAS officers’ deputation plans

No senior government officer will be allowed to go on deputation. Highly-placed sources in government told DNA the state government has taken a decision to this effect. This move has derailed the plans of three IPS officers who were eyeing Delhi postings.

Rajkot commissioner of police Anupamsinh Gehlot, DIG in state intelligence bureau RR Bhagat and SP ATS Himanshu Shukla were to go on deputation. There was speculation that Gehlot and Bhagat would go to the SPG (Special Protection Group), while Shukla would be posted in RAW (Research and Analysis Wing).

However, it now seems the deputation process will take place only after December when assembly polls are over and the new government is in place.

A number of bureaucrats from Gujarat have landed plum postings in the union government after Narendra Modi became prime minister in 2014.

The list includes officers such as Hasmukh Adhia, who is the revenue secretary, Rita Teaotia, who is commerce Secretary,  Guruprasad Mohapatra, who heads Airports Authority of India, GC Murmu, Tapan Ray, Atanu Chakraborty, K Srinivas, among others.

IPS officers Rakesh Asthana and AK Sharma hold key positions in CBI. The list would have swelled further, but for the state government's decision.

The government feels there may be a crunch of officers if some are allowed to go on deputation for central government postings. Along with IPS, no IAS officers will be allowed to go on deputation either.