Ministry of Home Affairs Issues Central Deputation Orders; Growing Trend Raises Questions Over Bihar Police’s Capacity
In a major development within Bihar’s policing framework, three senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officers have been deputed to central government agencies, intensifying concerns about the shrinking pool of experienced leadership in the state police. The move, formalized through orders issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), comes at a time when more than a dozen IPS officers from Bihar have already opted for central deputation in recent months, sparking debate in administrative and political circles.
Central Deputation Orders and Formalities
According to the MHA directive, the officers have been assigned to critical roles in central security establishments, reflecting their professional expertise and operational capabilities. Their transfer orders will take effect once the Bihar government issues No Objection Certificates (NOCs), a mandatory step before officers can formally assume their new responsibilities at the national level.
Officers Deputed to Central Agencies
The three officers moving out of Bihar include:
Ashish Bharti (2011 batch, DIG) – Deputed to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)
Sapna G. Meshram (2011 batch, DIG) – Also deputed to the CRPF; she is the spouse of Ashish Bharti
Gaurav Mangla (2013 batch, IPS) – Deputed to the Intelligence Bureau (IB)
These postings represent a significant shift in Bihar Police’s senior leadership structure, particularly at the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) level.
A Growing Exodus of Bihar IPS Officers
The departure of these officers is part of a larger pattern of Bihar cadre IPS officers seeking central deputation. Sources indicate that the exodus is far from over, with several other senior officers reportedly in line for similar postings, including:
Jitendra Kumar
Rakesh Rathi
P. Kannan
This steady movement of officers has raised alarms about potential gaps in Bihar’s law enforcement leadership, especially as the state continues to grapple with complex administrative and security challenges.
Role of Bihar Government in Relieving Officers
While the MHA has issued the deputation orders, the Bihar government must formally relieve the officers by granting NOCs. This procedural step is critical, as it ensures that the officers are officially released from their state duties before joining their central assignments.
Implications for Bihar Police
The transfer of senior IPS officers to central agencies carries several implications for Bihar’s policing ecosystem:
Experience Gap: The departure of seasoned officers may weaken policy execution and operational efficiency at the state level.
Leadership Void: Key positions in Bihar Police will require immediate replacements to maintain continuity in administration and field operations.
Future Deputations: The ongoing trend suggests that more officers may soon leave for central postings, potentially reshaping Bihar’s police leadership structure in the near future.
The latest deputations highlight both the prestige associated with central postings and the challenges they create for state-level policing. As Bihar continues to lose senior officers to central agencies, the state government faces the pressing task of filling leadership voids and ensuring that law enforcement remains effective and responsive to public needs.
