New Delhi (04.01.2023): The decision of the Sikkim Government of appointing A Sudhakar Rao (IAS:1989:SK) as Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department drew attention. Prior to this Rao worked as Special DGP, Special Branch, and held the additional charge of DGP, Sikkim.
While it's a prerogative of the government to appoint an IPS officer as ACS (Home) a section of senior civil servants terms it a ‘strange’ move as well. An official said that even though it's rare, nothing stops the Government from appointing an IPS officer as ACS (Home) i.e. Home Secretary of the state as it’s about the Pay scale that decides the seniority and hierarchy and the post is not encadred for IAS officers.
Further, on Rao’s appointment as ACS (Home) Amrendra Kumar Singh (IPS:1990:SK) was appointed as DGP of the state with the additional responsibility of Director, Sikkim Vigilance Police. He will continue as DGP till January 4, 2025.
Why this rare move?
A plea (PIL) filed in August 2022 in the Supreme Court had sought direction to quash an order of the Sikkim Government giving charge of state DGP A Sudhakar Rao, owing to alleged serious allegations. The plea argued that the Government of Sikkim has not complied with the directions issued by the apex Court in the case of Prakash Singh Vs. Union of India. The appointment was alleged to be not in compliance with the SC's order as Rao was, years back, trapped by CBI on a complaint from two of his junior officers. The plea had also submitted that in the departmental inquiry, Rao was found guilty and the matter was sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs for taking action and the decision of MHA/UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) regarding punishment is awaited but that’s a different story.
By making Rao an interim DGP the state government had made its choice clear but for the above-said reason Rao couldn't sustain his claim, a section of senior officials say. But having a liking for Rao the state govt would have designed ways and means to give Rao a plum post of ACS (Home).
