DGP selection: Punjab Government entangled in its own web?

The Punjab Government is sending a panel of IPS officers for appointment as Director General of Police (DGP) to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) but the state Government already missed the deadline of February 28. The state had earlier attempted to create its own mechanism for appointing a DGP through the Punjab Police Amendment Bill 2023. The Government opined that the state Vidhan Sabha had passed a Bill authorising the state to appoint its own DGP. But the Bill is pending with the President for her assent. However, under Supreme Court norms, an officiating DGP can ordinarily continue only for a limited period while the regular appointment process is completed. Consequently, the UPSC had asked the Punjab Government to send a panel by February 28, 2026. The Centre too had sent a reminder to the state Government in this connection.