Staunchly defending the State's decision to appoint Rakesh Maria as Mumbai police commissioner, Home Minister R R Patil on Monday issued a veiled warning to other police officers who have not yet joined their new postings as a mark of protest.
Two IPS officers, Javed Ahmed and Vijay Kamble, who were aspirants for the top post, have not yet taken over as DG (Homeguards) and DG (Security Corporation) respectively.
Patil told newsmen, "Nobody expressed dissatisfaction to me over the appointments. In the government, there's a specified time for joining a posting, and if anyone does not take charge by then, the government can take other steps. If anyone is unhappy, I will clarify the government's position," Patil said, hinting that if the seven-day joining time is not followed, the government could fill the posts.
Patil said Maria was chosen due to challenges faced by Mumbai and his experience. "If you look at previous appointments, you will find that seniority is just one of the criteria while zeroing in on the final choice. We take into consideration factors like quantum of tenure left; in which branch he has worked; what problems the city is facing... the government weighs all these factors and takes a final decision," Patil pointed out.
The Home Minister said that the police establishment board had suggested three names and the government could have even thought of a fourth. The posts of police commissioner for Mumbai, Pune, Thane and Navi Mumbai are filled with officers from additional director-general of police rank, he added.
On criticism that a Dalit officer, Kamble, was sidelined, Patil said the police do not believe in caste system.
Sources said that they had anticipated this situation after Kamble was rejected for the top post, and appointed Dhananjay Kamlakar from the reserved category for the joint commissioner (law and order) — the second most important post in Mumbai.
On reports that Maria's candidature was strongly pushed by NCP, Patil said, "This isn't true. Things haven't taken place due to any pressure by NCP. Those who don't know anything about the administration can level such charges, but I'm sure those who have information on such matters, won't make allegations."
Meanwhile, RPI (A) has organised a protest on Tuesday to condemn the government sidelining Kamble.
Two IPS officers, Javed Ahmed and Vijay Kamble, who were aspirants for the top post, have not yet taken over as DG (Homeguards) and DG (Security Corporation) respectively.
Patil told newsmen, "Nobody expressed dissatisfaction to me over the appointments. In the government, there's a specified time for joining a posting, and if anyone does not take charge by then, the government can take other steps. If anyone is unhappy, I will clarify the government's position," Patil said, hinting that if the seven-day joining time is not followed, the government could fill the posts.
Patil said Maria was chosen due to challenges faced by Mumbai and his experience. "If you look at previous appointments, you will find that seniority is just one of the criteria while zeroing in on the final choice. We take into consideration factors like quantum of tenure left; in which branch he has worked; what problems the city is facing... the government weighs all these factors and takes a final decision," Patil pointed out.
The Home Minister said that the police establishment board had suggested three names and the government could have even thought of a fourth. The posts of police commissioner for Mumbai, Pune, Thane and Navi Mumbai are filled with officers from additional director-general of police rank, he added.
On criticism that a Dalit officer, Kamble, was sidelined, Patil said the police do not believe in caste system.
Sources said that they had anticipated this situation after Kamble was rejected for the top post, and appointed Dhananjay Kamlakar from the reserved category for the joint commissioner (law and order) — the second most important post in Mumbai.
On reports that Maria's candidature was strongly pushed by NCP, Patil said, "This isn't true. Things haven't taken place due to any pressure by NCP. Those who don't know anything about the administration can level such charges, but I'm sure those who have information on such matters, won't make allegations."
Meanwhile, RPI (A) has organised a protest on Tuesday to condemn the government sidelining Kamble.
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