Chandigarh: Police personnel have been relieved of their duties in the Haryana Transport Department. Orders have been issued to return all constables, head constables, and assistant sub-inspectors assigned to RTA offices to their original cadre in the police department.
Prospects of Improvement in Transport Department Operations
Following Transport Minister Anil Vij’s objection, several IPS, HPS officers, and inspectors were earlier removed from the Transport Department. The experiment of appointing IPS and HPS officers in the department, initiated by the then Chief Minister Manohar Lal to improve its functioning, had been relatively successful. However, it caused significant discontent among the IAS and HCS lobby.
Police Officials Posted in the Department from Constable to DSP Rank
Transport Minister Anil Vij, who has been opposed to the practice of posting police officers and personnel in other departments, has taken the initiative to make the Transport Department free of police personnel. Officials ranging from constables to DSP rank had been deputed to the Transport Department.
Now, under the newly-formed government, Anil Vij holds the reins of the Transport Ministry. When Vij assumed charge, the department’s Principal Secretary was ADGP Navdeep Singh Virk. Following Vij’s objections, the government had Virk removed from the Transport Department.
Order to Relieve Police Officials Issued
Following Vij’s displeasure over police officials’ appointments in various Regional Transport Authorities (RTA), Transport Commissioner C.G. Rajnikanthan issued a circular directing all such personnel to return to their original cadre. Police personnel will now resume their duties in the police department.
Separate Responsibilities for Police and Civil Departments
Vij emphasized the distinction between police and civil duties, stating that police personnel and officers are trained to manage law and order. Civil departments, on the other hand, have separate officers and employees for administrative work. He also highlighted that police training is specifically designed for maintaining law and order.
Key Administrative Changes
In place of ADGP Navdeep Singh Virk, senior IAS officer Dr. Ashok Khemka has been appointed as the Additional Chief Secretary of the Transport Department. Following Vij’s objections, the government transferred IPS officer Virk out of the Transport Department, though he retains his position as Principal Secretary in the Sports Department.
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