The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Sunday, October 13, 2002, Chandigarh, India

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Bhullar gets back powers
New order says Siddiqui to report to DGP
Prabhjot Singh
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 12
In less than 48 hours of its decision to give “sweeping powers” to Mr A.A. Siddiqui after designating him as Officer on Special Duty (Law and Order), the Punjab Government today relented to restore the status of Mr M. S. Bhullar as full-fledged Director-General of Police.

In an amended order issued today after a group of Congress legislators accompanied by senior functionaries of the Pradesh Congress Committee met the Chief Minister yesterday, it was stated that in all matters except for some specific assignments given by the Chief Minister, Mr Siddiqui would report to the DGP. The enraged Congress legislators wanted that the October 10 order should be either withdrawn or amended so that the position and powers held by Mr M. S. Bhullar remain unscathed.

After the October 10 order, the DGP, the sources said, was contemplating proceeding on protest leave. In the last Assembly elections, Mr Kuldeep Singh Bhullar, a son of the DGP, unsuccessfully contested from Zira. Mr MS Bhullar is also reported to have big support in the Congress Legislature Party (CLP).

In Ludhiana, where the Chief Minister went today to address a conference on community policing held at Police Lines, both Mr M. S. Bhullar and Mr A. A. Siddiqui were present. Talking to newsmen after the conference, the Chief Minister made it clear that Mr M.S. Bhullar would continue as Director-General of Police till his superannuation on July 31 next year and Mr A. A. Siddiqui would be the next DGP of the State. The practice of designating a successor well in advance was common in the services, he added.

The amended order issued today said Mr Siddiqui will be incharge of maintenance of law and order and he will supervise the work of all police districts, ranges and zones concerning all aspects of maintenance of law and order.

He will report in all cases to the DGP (amended). However, he may carry out any special operations assigned to him and may issue suitable directions to any police officer or men, for assisting him in carrying out special operations assigned by the Chief Minister.

He will receive all important assessments and intelligence reports about law and order from the intelligence wing and the ADGP, Intelligence, will keep him informed as may be necessary for the discharge of his duties/responsibilities. The ADGP Crime will also keep him informed of all important ingredients of crime having a bearing on law and order.

The most significant amendment made in the October 10 order is about writing the annual confidential reports of the SSPs, Range DIGs and Zonal IGs. Now the amended order says the OSD (Law and Order) will send his observations regarding the work and conduct of SSPs, range DIGs and Zonal IGs on their performance pertaining to law and order to the DGP.

Further, the amended order says the OSD may also recommend departmental action against any police officer to the DGP and issue appreciation letter to gazetted officers. The new order also tries to console Mr Siddiqui by giving him independent charge of supervising all projects relating to community policing in the State.

Whatever be the compulsions or reasons, modification of an order within 48 hours of its issuance will have its own implications. It apparently appears to be an exercise in fighting fire after igniting it.