Author: Express News Service
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: November 7, 2003
URL: http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=67420
It is encouraging to note that the
Chief Minister Sushilkumar Shinde, despite the imperatives of coalition
politics, is questioning some of the demands of his deputy.
Whenever he was asked to explain
some of his controversial appointments and transfers of senior police officials,
Bhujbal had often taken refuge behind the coat tails of the chief minister.
He would promptly state that the
proposals had come from the head of the Police Department and that he had
merely approved the proposals and passed them on to the chief minister
for his concurrence.
By calling his bluff, Shinde has
now made it clear that he is opposed to some of the Home Minister's nominees.
More significantly, Shinde has shown that he'll listen to the voice of
the people.
The proposal to appoint Surendra
Mohan Shangari as the director general of police went directly from Bhujbal's
office to the chief minister. Shinde was not happy since it was generally
known that Shangari is Bhujbal's principal mentor, philosopher and guide.
What was urged in favour of Shangari
was that he was seniormost in the IPS cadre. But so was Arvind Inamdar
when he was summarily shunted off from the job he was so honestly performing.
Seniority is not the only criterion-capability, leadership qualities, acceptability
to the rank and file and integrity have to be assessed too.
The principle of seniority has been
construed or misconstrued by politicians at various times for furthering
their own aims. There are numerous cases where it has been ignored. In
the instant case it obviously suited the Home Minister who is reported
to have threatened to resign if his wishes were not granted!
Most police officers have spotless
records because it's not easy to make adverse entries against a junior
without the benefit of concrete evidence. Most information on dishonest
dealings of officers comes from the subordinate ranks who know their seniors
well. It is impossible to hoodwink subordinates.
Considering the present state of
our Police Department, it was important to have selected an officer of
undoubted integrity to lead the force. With elections round the corner,
one would have thought that would be important.
The spat between the chief minister
and his deputy at Wednesday's press conference indicates that Shinde had
reservations about Shangari. It is a good development for the department
and for the public. At least, the topmost man in the administration is
conscious that integrity has to play its part in selecting senior officers.
One newspaper reported that the
chief minister remarked that the next police commissioner of the city ''will
be decided by a panel of experts along with the city's top police officials
and announced 15 days in advance''. The citizens of Mumbai deserve a break
from sub-standard policing.
The Telgi scam has shocked the conscience
of the people. It has also surprised ordinary police officers and men.
They expect that those who are guilty will be put behind bars.
The chief minister has started a
very healthy trend. He should carry on the good work. A clear message should
be sent to all IPS officers that they have to choose between serving the
people and enriching themselves. Only those who choose the first alternative
should be allowed to climb. Others should not be allowed to prosper lest
a wrong message be delivered to the fence-sitters, with its consequent
deleterious effect on police morale.
Julio Ribeiro is former police commissioner
of Mumbai
