Know the Facts: Odisha Govt’s sudden decision on replacing DGP Sharma

(Reporters Today, Bhubaneswar): On Wednesday late night, power circles in the State were mildly shook with the removal of Director General of Police BK Sharma. Sharma was shifted to the Home Department as an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) while his IPS batch mate, Abhay who is posted as Director of National Police Academy, Hyderabad, was appointed as DGP Odisha.

It was due to gross irregularities in issuance of fire safety certificates to commercial establishments and industries which led to action against Sharma, who was also the Director General of Fire Services, holding additional charge as DGP Odisha, official sources confirmed.

According to sources, the irregularities linked to Fire Services Directorate surfaced after the developers of city-based Utkal Kanika Mall at Kalpana Square moved the Government reporting the pendency of their file. Few days back, this mall was shut by the Police Commissionerate over issues like inadequate parking facilities and fire safety clearance.

It has been reported that soon after this matter caught attention of the Government, the Fire Safety clearance authority was withdrawn from the Fire Services Directorate and handed over the 5T Department.

Top sources in the Government have confirmed that soon after taking charge as the DGP, Sharma started taking whimsical decisions without following official protocol. Reports added that there were several efficient officers in the Department, who were not happy with Sharma’s style of functioning.

The Odisha Government started operating under the 5T framework after Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik introduced it in October this year. The Health and Home Departments were chosen for the pilots for the 5T and ‘Mo Sarkar’ scheme. “Naveen is in no mood to tolerate any controversy leave apart irregularity while implementing 5-T,” the source added.

In the last two months, a number of police officials against whom corruption charges surfaced were either suspended or transferred. This is why, when the Government smelt corruption in the office of the DGP, it was quite evident that exemplary action would be taken, sources added.

The State Government has formed a high level committee headed by Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy to probe into the irregularities in the Fire Services Directorate. Development Commissioner Suresh Mahapatra and Home Department Secretary, Sanjeev Chopra are members of this committee.

Meanwhile, former DGP Sharma has been shifted to the Home Department as OSD. It is believed that after completion of the probe, stern action might be initiated against former DGP Sharma.