Punjab planning 3-year posting cap for cops above inspector’s rank, court informed

Chandigarh: Now, Punjab Police officials of the rank of inspector and above would not be able to stay in a particular district for more than three years at a stretch and for nine years in total. A decision was taken in this regard by the authorities concerned and sent for approval from the state cabinet. At present, such a policy exists only for officials from the rank of constable to inspector. "A draft policy was prepared for the transfer of officers of the rank of inspector and above after they complete nine years of service in total and three years at a particular place. The policy was approved by the competent authority and is being sent to the cabinet for approval," Punjab govt informed the Punjab and Haryana high court.The information was provided in compliance with the court's Feb 10 directions, when the HC asked the state to formulate a policy determining the maximum tenure for the officials of the rank of inspector and above in terms of govt instructions dated May 21, 2020, applicable to the rank of constable to inspector. "It is strange such a policy is applicable to only lower-rank police officials. Such a policy ought to be applicable to higher ranks," the HC bench headed by Justice Anupinder Singh Grewal observed in its Feb 10 orders.Punjab DGP, who joined the hearing in the HC through video conferencing on Thursday in a related matter, also informed that a massive manpower audit is underway to augment police personnel for patrolling and maintenance of law and order. It was submitted that 508 additional patrolling vehicles were deployed and several other measures were initiated to curb organised crime.The HC was also informed that the fleet of vehicles available for emergency response services under Dial 112 was augmented and that a one-acre plot was allocated for setting up the headquarters of the emergency services.With regard to recent police encounters, the Punjab govt counsel, upon instructions from the director of police, Punjab, submitted that the Punjab Police personnel were discharging their duties in consonance with the guidelines issued by the National Human Rights Commission and in accordance with law.The matter is now fixed for March 17. In this case, the division bench headed by Justice Anupinder Singh Grewal is hearing multiple issues, including the security situation in Punjab jails, especially in view of the telecast of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's interview from a Punjab jail and various incidents of organised crime in the state.