Top cops' term

It was yet another anxious day for the rank and file of the Maharashtra Police as there was no official communication from the Centre whether the incumbent state DGP, PS Pasricha, and Mumbai CP Dhananjay Jadhav would get an extension for another three months or not.

Prithviraj Chavan, minister of state for Prime Minister’s Office said, “Whether the prime minister intervenes or not is not known to us, but ultimately it is the home minister who will have to take a call on this issue.”

Additional chief secretary (Home) Chitkala Zutshi said, “Till now, there is no communication from the Ministry of Home Affairs. And since it’s the prerogative of the union home minister, we cannot say anything on this issue.”

Union home minister Shivraj Patil is reportedly holding back the file of extension of these two top cops of Maharashtra, because if they were granted the extension, it would have direct effect on the promotions of IPS officers of six states and indirect effect on all 30 states.

Highly placed sources said, Gujarat, AP, Orissa, Chhatisgarh, MP and Maharashtra have sought extension for their incumbent DGPs.

Several senior IPS officials were trying their best to find out whether their seniors were getting an extension or not, with some of them even contacting the media.