Senior IPS officers Sanjeeb Panda and YK Jethwa promoted to DG rank as Odisha prepares to select its next police chief following YB Khurania’s retirement
OdishaPlus Bureau
The Odisha government on Monday promoted senior IPS officers Sanjeeb Panda and YK Jethwa, both from the 1994 batch, to the rank of Director General of Police (DG), a move that assumes significance amid the ongoing process to select the state’s next police chief.
According to a notification issued by the General Administration and Public Grievance Department, the two Additional DG-rank officers have been promoted to the DG of Police grade in Level-16 of the pay matrix with immediate effect. They will continue in their existing assignments in-situ until further orders.
Panda is currently heading the anti-Naxal operations unit, while Jethwa is serving as Director of State Vigilance.
The promotions have come at a crucial juncture, with the selection process for the next Director General of Police (DGP) underway. The first meeting of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) empanelment committee, held on August 7, reportedly remained inconclusive.
With the elevation of Panda and Jethwa to the DG rank, the field has effectively opened up for Panda to emerge as a strong contender for the post of Odisha DGP.
The incumbent DGP, YB Khurania, is scheduled to retire on August 16. The UPSC empanelment committee is expected to meet again to finalise a panel of three officers, from which the Odisha government will select the next police chief. Once the committee reconvenes, Panda’s name is expected to figure prominently among the eligible senior officers.
The race, however, remains competitive. Senior IPS officer Sudhansu Sarangi, a 1990-batch officer, and RP Koche and Susanta Nath, both from the 1993 batch, are also understood to be in contention.
At the previous UPSC panel meeting, the state government had reportedly sought the withdrawal of the integrity certificate of one of the officers in the race. That move, however, appears to have been abandoned, according to sources.
Instead, one of the three senior officers is now likely to proceed on central deputation, a development that could further strengthen Panda’s prospects of becoming the next DGP.
The final decision will depend on the UPSC empanelment process and the subsequent choice made by the state government.