Punjab promotes four IPS officers to DGP rank, reshuffles seven senior posts

The Punjab government has ordered a reshuffle involving seven senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officers, promoting four officers to the rank of Director General of Police (DGP) and assigning new responsibilities across key wings of the state police.

According to an order issued by the Department of Home Affairs and Justice on Saturday, November 7, the four 1995-batch IPS officers promoted to the DGP rank are Promod Ban, Amit Prasad, Mohd Faiyaz Farooqui and G Nageswara Rao. They have been elevated to Level 16 of the pay matrix.

Kapil Dev, another 1995-batch IPS officer currently on central deputation, has also been granted pro forma promotion to the same grade. His pay and other benefits during the deputation and after his return to the state cadre will be regulated under the applicable rules.

Key appointments in Punjab Police

Following the promotions, Promod Ban has been assigned charge as Special DGP, Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), Punjab, while Amit Prasad has been appointed Special DGP, Counter Intelligence, Punjab. Both officers were previously heading their respective wings as ADGPs.

Mohd Faiyaz Farooqui has been posted as Special DGP, State Armed Police (SAP), Jalandhar, while G Nageswara Rao has been appointed Special DGP, Provisioning, Punjab. Rao will additionally retain his existing charge as Special DGP, Modernisation, Punjab.

Gautam Cheema has been assigned the responsibility of Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Law and Order, Punjab.

Changes in other senior police portfolios

The reshuffle also includes changes to the responsibilities of two other senior officers.

Dr Jitendra Kumar Jain, who was serving as Special DGP, Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), Patiala, has been transferred as Special DGP, Railways, Punjab. However, he will continue to hold his existing charge at PSPCL.

Meanwhile, Anita Punj, who is currently serving as Special DGP, Human Resource Development (HRD) and Welfare, Punjab, Chandigarh, has been entrusted with the additional responsibility of Special DGP, Human Rights, Punjab.

The government has directed all seven officers to assume charge at their respective new places of posting immediately. The orders were issued with the approval of the competent authority and signed by Alok Shekhar, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Home Affairs and Justice, Punjab.