Odisha ex-DGP may join NDA govt as internal security chief

The Union home ministry has finalised the name of Odisha cadre IPS officer Prakash Mishra to take over the charge of its internal security department, which was headless for the last 10 months after S Jayaraman retired last September.

The Union home ministry has finalised the name of Odisha cadre IPS officer Prakash Mishra to take over the charge of its internal security department, which was headless for the last 10 months after S Jayaraman retired last September.

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“Home minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik few days back to ask for the services of Mishra at the Centre.

Patnaik didn’t object to Mishra leaving the state for a central deputation. After that, Mishra’s name has been sent to the cabinet committee on appointments for final clearance,” said a home ministry official requesting anonymity.

Mishra, a 1977-batch IPS officer, is likely to hold the rank of secretary (internal security) in the home ministry. He has earlier served in the National Investigation Agency as its special director general.

Interestingly, after Mishra’s services were sought by the Centre, the Odisha government removed him from the post of director general of police and appointed him as the CMD of the Odisha Road Transport Corporation — an ex-cadre post.

Sources in the Odisha police say the former DGP and the CM were not getting along well ever since the state assembly elections took place. In fact, first the state had concurred for Mishra’s central deputation and his name was being considered for the post of special director in the CBI but later his name was taken back.