THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A shuffle in police top brass is imminent as vigilance director N. C. Asthana is going on central a deputation and couple of senior IPS officers are keenly awaiting to follow suit. Apart from this, the post of ADGP north-zone is also lying vacant event three weeks after the retirement of Rajesh Dewan. According to sources, the government might be making the new postings only after the Chengannur by-poll.
A proposal to lower ranks of ADGPs of north and south zones to that of IGs and that of IGs of the four ranges to that of DIGs is also under government's consideration. But the proposal has not gone down well with the IPS officers. The excise commissioner, Rishi Raj Singh, and road safety commissioner Nitin Agarwal are among the senior IPS officers who are likely to go on central deputation soon. Mr Singh was already empanelled to the director general cadre, and hence he could head any elite central agencies like the CBI or CRPF.
Mr Agarwal had given his willingness for central deputation in the IG cadre. The centre recently appointed Mr Asthana as additional director general of Border Security Force. He is now holding a DGP rank in the state. He would be relieving as vigilance director by May 31. Government sources said a decision on his successor had not been taken. A proposal of the administrative reforms commission to set up State Vigilance Commission on the lines of Central Vigilance Commission was also pending before the government.
