To free up police transfers,postings,promotions and other service-related matters from political control,the Centre is moving to set up Police Establishment Boards in the National Capital Territory of Delhi and other Union Territories which will decide on these issues. Union Home Minister P Chidambaram has already cleared a proposal to this effect. Home Ministry sources told The Indian Express that legal vetting of the proposal is on and it is likely to be in place in a months time. These Police Establishment Boards will fix the tenure of all officers,starting from the top (DGP or Commissioner) right down to a Sub Inspector in Delhi and several Union Territories. Matters relating to transfers,postings and promotions will require the Boards approval. In September 2006,while ruling in the Prakash Singh and Others Vs Union of India case,the Supreme Court had directed that the Boards be set up in all states to decide all transfers,postings,promotions and other service related matters of officers of and below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police. The court also called for a minimum tenure of at least two years for state DGPs,irrespective of the date of superannuation. With most states and UTs dragging their feet on implementing the court direction,the Centre now wants to take the lead in setting up these Boards in Delhi and other UTs so that it can pursue the matter better with the states. The matter came up for discussion during the CMs conference on internal security today where Chidambaram,pointing to the central role of the police in meeting challenges to internal security,said: The police forces require strong leadership. How can an officer provide leadership if his or her tenure is precarious and uncertain? I urge states that have not yet established a Police Establishment Board to do so immediately. The Police Establishment Board will in no way diminish the authority of the Chief Minister or the Home Minister. On the contrary,it will greatly help the Chief Minister and the Home Minister in conveying the message of fairness and non-discrimination,and they can always intervene in exceptional situations.
