IPS officer reviewing Anna Hazare's security is a yoga freak, friend of Baba Ramdev

Dr Satyapal Singh, Additional Director General of Police in Maharashtra and the man who is personally reviewing the security of anti-graft crusader Anna Hazare by visiting Anna’s native village in Ralegan Siddhi is an unusual police officer. His domain knowledge and understanding of Yoga, Vedas and Swami Vivekananda could make many religious experts envious.

And that has made him closer to many civil society activists and spiritual gurus over the years. Have a close look at this file photo. Satyapal Singh with his family had shared a happy moment with Baba Ramdev, Yoga guru and anti-corruption activist. The IPS officer was then Pune’s police commissioner.

Only a few days ago, Singh as additional DGP (law and order) visited Ralegan Siddhi and tried to persuade him to enhance the security cover. In the backdrop of attacks on Team Anna members, Prashant Bhushan and Arvind Kejriwal, it was originally suggested that Anna should be given Z category security which would have meant the deployment of 22 security personnel round the clock. But Anna had refused the suggestion. Finally, it was decided Anna will have 11 security men, as against the four who are being currently deployed. Metal detectors at the entrances of his home, Padmavati temple and his office were also installed.

As people close to the development say IPS Singh struck cords with Anna Hazare too. Born at Meerut, Singh was an M.Phil in chemistry from Delhi University, but he always developed a better chemistry with spiritualism and ancient India, particularly the Vedic age. While in service, Singh did his PhD in Naxalism, and an MBA from an Australian university.

In his blog, the IPS officer writes that guidance or instructions for individuals are actually provided in the Vedas in some form or the other. “Every minute and meaningful knowledge of the Universe, guidance or instructions for individuals, domestic, social, national or international harmonious, sustainable and holistic development are provided in the Vedas in seed forms… Vedas are encoded with scientific and technological insights, experiments and riddles,” Singh believes.

Action and Appointments

a) The ACC has approved the extension of Central deputation tenure of the following officers for a period of six months beyond the dates of completion of their normal tenure:

(i) Arvind Mayaram, a 1978 batch Rajasthan cadre IAS and additional secretary and financial adviser, ministry of rural development;

(ii) Sanjay Kothari, a 1978 batch Haryana cadre IAS and additional secretary, ministry of tourism.

Shortage of 630 IPS officers recorded

INDIAN states like Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Orrisa and Assam-Meghalaya have topped the chart of shortage of police officers in the country. According to statistics released by the ministry of home affairs, there is a shortage of 630 Indian Police Service (IPS) officers in India now. Currently, India has 3,383 IPS officers against the authorized strength of 4,013.

Whereas there is a shortage of 76 such officers in Madhya Pradesh, the figure is 60 in Orissa. In Uttar Pradesh, out of an authorized strength of 404 IPS officers, there are currently 346 officers in the state, making a shortage of 58. The combined Assam-Meghalaya cadre has a shortage of 48 officers whereas in Andhra Pradesh, 41 IPS can be accommodated according to authorized strength. At present, 122 IPS officers of 2009 batch are undertaking training at NPA.

In order to increase the number of IPS officers, recommendations of Kamal Kumar Committee, have been taken seriously. The strength and composition of the state cadres has already been reviewed and the total cadre strength was raised to 4730. The annual batch size of regular recruits has been increased to 150 from 130 earlier, from 2009 onwards, according to minister of state for home affairs Ajay Maken in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

Police modernization plans get extension till Oct, 2011

The government approved the extension of two earlier plans to modernize a number of security forces. It had approved a 5 year plan (2002-07) for modernization of six Central Para Military Forces Assam Rifle (AR), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Border Security Forces (BSF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and National Security Guard (NSG) at an estimated const of Rs 3740.71 crore in February 2002. Separately, the government had also approved a three-year plan (2005-08) for modernization of Sashatra Seema Bal (SSB) at an estimated cost of Rs. 444.43 crores in April, 2005. Now both these plans are extended up to October 31, 2011.

Action and Appointments

a) BK Gupta, a 1975 batch AGMU cadre IPS, presently posted as Director General (Prisons), has been appointed to the post of Commissioner of Police, Delhi.

b) Current Commissioner of Police, Delhi YS Dadwal, a 1974 batch AGMU cadre IPS has been appointed as Director General, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) with effect from the date of his taking over the charge of the post and till his superannuation on October 31, 2011 or until further orders.