Speaking to reporters, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who also holds charge of the Home Department, informed that the government sent its request to the ECI four days ago and is still awaiting approval.
“If the reply comes in today or tomorrow the appointment will be made,” Tynsong said.
The government has already made its choice of which Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the joint Assam-Meghalaya cadre will be appointed as the new DGP.
Five names had originally been proposed but two officers were not interested. The remaining three have been cleared by the Union Public Service Commission. They are Idashisha Nongrang (1992 batch), Ram Prasad Meena (1993) and Deepak Kumar (1994).
Nongrang is currently the Director General of Meghalaya Civil Defence and Home Guards. She is also the only one of the three candidates who is an indigenous tribal and, as such, has received the public backing of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), United Democratic Party (UDP), both of which are in government, and the opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP).
Meena is currently posted in the Border Security Force (BSF) and Kumar in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
When asked about the recommendations made by political parties to appoint Nongrang, Tynsong said, “We will inform you at the right time but, for now, leave it to the wisdom of the government. We don’t have doubts and will appoint the right person for the important post of DGP.”
“As far as appointments and transfers of senior officers, we have to study it thoroughly and look at it from all angles and make a final decision. So I’m confident we will appoint the best officer,” he added.
