No IPS reshuffle by Odisha govt sparks discussion amidst rising crime

While there has been an IAS-level reshuffle twice, no such reshuffle has taken place at the IPS level in the Mohan Majhi-led Odisha government.  

The issue has now become a matter of discussion in the power corridor. 

There are five such districts that have DIG rank IPS officers as their SPs. Abinash Kumar, Brijesh Rai, Sarthak Sarangi and Umashankar Das are working as the SPs of Khorda, Rourkela, Berhampur and Angul. Similarly, DIG-rank officer Prakash R has been appointed as the DCP, Cuttack. 

Given the situation, former police officer Batakrushna Tripathy laid emphasis on a major reshuffle at the IPS level. 

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“A reshuffle in IPS-level is required. The present DGP has joined recently. He will post officers after a careful study,” said Tripathy. 

At the same time, the state is struggling with the shortage of IPS officers. Of the total 136 IPS posts, seven are lying vacant. Out of a total of 129 IPS officers, 22 have been on central deputation. This apart, 12 IPS officers of the 2021 and 2022 batches are receiving training at the National Police Academy, Hyderabad. 

Most importantly, four senior IPS officers such as SM Narvane, Ravi Kant, DS Kutey and Ashish Singh are working as officers on special duty (OSD). While Rajesh Uttamrao has been suspended, NB Bharathi has not joined office for five years. 

So, in the true sense, Odisha Police is functioning with 89 IPS officers. 

“Crime rate is increasing in Odisha. A major reshuffle is the need of the hour. So that people can feel that there should be no repetition of the incidents for which the previous government was criticized," said Political Analyst, Prasanna Mohanty.