Bill Summary
The Punjab Police (Amendment) Bill, 2023
- The Punjab Police (Amendment) Bill, 2023, was introduced in the Punjab Legislative Assembly on June 20, 2023. It seeks to amend the Punjab Police Act, 2007. The Act provides for the regulation and management of police in Punjab.
- Appointment of the Director General of Police: Under the Act, the state government selects the Director General of Police (DGP) from Indian Police Service (IPS) officers of the Punjab Cadre. An eligible officer must hold or be eligible to hold the rank of Director General. The Bill specifies that eligible candidates for appointment as DGP (Head of Police Force) will be IPS officers belonging to the Punjab Cadre who: (i) have been promoted to the rank of DGP in Punjab and completed at least 30 years of services as on the date of vacancy, and (ii) have a minimal residual tenure of six months as on the vacancy date.
- The state government will appoint the DGP from a panel of three officers recommended by an Empanelment Committee. The Empanelment Committee will have seven members including: (a) a retired Chief Justice or a retired Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court as Chairman, (ii) Chief Secretary of Punjab, (iii) a nominee of the Union Public Service Commission, and (iv) Chairman or nominee of the Punjab Public Service Commission.
- Tenure of the Director General of Police: The Act provides that the DGP will have a term of at least two years, unless he attains age of superannuation. The state government may transfer the DGP before the completion of his two-year tenure for reasons including: (i) conviction in a criminal case or being charged in a corruption case, (ii) physical or mental illness rendering him unfit for duty, or (iii) promotion to a higher post in the state or central government. Under the Bill, the DGP will have a tenure of at least two years, irrespective of his date of superannuation. The state government may remove the DGP prior to the completion of his tenure on certain grounds. These grounds include: (i) the initiation of any action against him under the All-India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969, (ii) conviction in a criminal case or being charged in a case involving corruption, or (iii) physical or mental illness deeming him unfit for duty. If the DGP is removed due to the above-mentioned grounds, the state government may assign any DGP-ranked officer in Punjab to temporarily hold the position until a new DGP is appointed. A superannuation pension is granted to a government servant who retires at the compulsory retirement age.
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