Flip-flop over Odisha police officer's posting causes row

The Odisha government's decision to go back on its recommendation for a top police officer's posting and then shifting him to a post considered far less important has triggered a row.

Prakash Mishra, 58, a 1977-batch Odisha cadre Indian Police Service officer, was short listed last year for appointment as the special director at the Central Bureau of Investigation.

The state government too recommended his name in December 2013, but five months later changed its decision and wrote to the central government May 28 seeking withdrawal of its recommendation.

"In view of the severe shortage of IPS officers in Odisha at the DG (director general of police) level, it is not possible to spare the service of Prakash Mishra," state Home Secretary Vipin Saxena wrote in a letter, a copy of which is in possession of IANS.

The state government also removed Mishra from the post of state's director general of police July 5 and posted him as chairman and managing director of the state-run Odisha State Road Transport Corporation.

This job has been held in the past by officers of the rank of inspector general of police.

Mishra declined to comment on these developments, while a senior official of the state home department said the transfer was a routine one.

The move came a day after media reports said union Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to inform him of Mishra's selection as the special secretary for internal security in the central government.

A senior state official with knowledge of the developments said Mishra was apparently not on good terms with the chief minister.

Mishra was appointed state police chief in July 2012.

The central government is now apparently insisting on Mishra's appointment in the home ministry, while the state government is opposing it, triggering a row.