Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh police found themselves on the defensive after a letter purportedly released by the DGP (Establishment) seeking suggestions from senior officials to recruit “ministerial staff” in the police department through “outsourcing” was found went viral on social media, prompting a strong reaction from opposition parties. They alleged that the state government was planning to introduce ‘Agniveer’ scheme as a recruitment policy in the police as well.
The state police chief later clarified that the letter had been made public by “error” and that there was no proposal to hire “ministerial staff” in the police department through “subcontracting.” ”The letter was inadvertently disseminated and has been cancelled,” the DGP stated.
Sources said the UP police had been recruiting fourth-class personnel, including cooks, washermen, cobblers, gardeners and sweepers, through “subcontracting” for more than three years.
“The letter was actually meant to hire fourth-class staff through outsourcing, but it mistakenly mentioned ministerial staff,” a senior official said here on Thursday.
Opposition parties, however, said the UP government was planning to introduce a scheme similar to ‘Agniveer’ in the UP police as well. Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav had said during the election campaign that police personnel would also be recruited for four to five years in the state, like in the ‘Agniveer’ scheme in the army.
“The state government should explain why it is avoiding direct recruitment of police personnel through the Police Recruitment Board… there will be no liability of police personnel if they are recruited through outsourcing,” Akhilesh said.
“It is possible that the government itself is outsourced to the state,” he added.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh also attacked the UP government over the issue saying the letter clearly showed that the state government was considering introducing an ‘Agniveer’-like scheme in the state police department.
Published June 13, 2024, 2:37 p.m. IST
