BSF additional director general KK Sharma has emerged as one of the top contenders for the post of new Special Protection Group (SPG) chief that guards the Prime Minister and ex-PMs.
The government on Tuesday asked the current SPG chief K Durga Prasad to relinquish the charge to the senior-most officer in the force, SS Chaturvedi till a suitable replacement was found for him.
“Sharma, along with NDRF chief OP Singh, and a UP cadre IPS officer RR Bhatnagar was short listed for the post of new SPG chief. Sharma’s name was finalised and it was sent to the PMO for final clearance almost 10 days ago. The file is yet to come. Earlier, Gujarat cadre IPS officer AK Singh was tipped to be the front runner for the post but as of now he is no longer in the race,” said a home ministry official requesting anonymity.
Prasad was initially appointed as the SPG chief in 2011 for a period of two years. In 2013, the UPA regime gave him an extension for another year that ended on November 2.
“When a file for his short extension was moved, the PMO said there was no need for extending Prasad’s tenure as the senior-most officer can handle the charge till the next chief is appointed,” said a senior government official requesting anonymity.
{{/usCountry}}“When a file for his short extension was moved, the PMO said there was no need for extending Prasad’s tenure as the senior-most officer can handle the charge till the next chief is appointed,” said a senior government official requesting anonymity.
{{/usCountry}}The official added that once Prasad is back from the Saarc tour on November 27, he will hand over the charge to his senior deputy.