54,720 policemen being adjusted in provinces

Kathmandu, Jan. 30: Eight years after the promulgation of the new constitution, the government has moved forward with the adjustment of the federal police in the province police offices. 

The Ministry of Home Affairs has started preparations to begin police adjustment work within a month.

Last Wednesday, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' led a discussion on police adjustment, whereupon he instructed to complete the preparation for the adjustment within 15 days. 

Along with the directive, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha also held separate discussions with Ministers for Internal Affairs of the seven provinces only on Sunday (January 28). 

The Ministry of Home Affairs has also stated that internal preparations are being made carefully and speedily.

Since the Federal Police Act has not been enacted, the Ministry of Home Affairs has discussed with the Police Headquarters and prepared the draft of a new Federal Police Act to replace the existing Nepal Police Act-1955. 

Joint Secretary and spokesperson for the Ministry of Home Affairs, Narayan Prasad Bhattarai, said that along with the process of issuing the Federal Police Act, the adjustment work is also moving simultaneously. 

"The Ministry of Home Affairs is doing homework by prioritising the police adjustment work. The Police Adjustment Act had already been issued in 2020, and the draft of the Federal Police Act has been prepared," he said. 

However, many necessary work procedures for the adjustment of police after the introduction of Police Adjustment Act 2020, still need to be legislated, said Bhattarai.  

In a public function held last Wednesday, Inspector General of Police Basanta Bahadur Kunwar proposed that the Headquarters is ready and positive for adjustment, but some current provisions should be amended. 

IGP Kunwar said that adjustments should be made in such a way that there is not challenge to national security.

According to the sources, the Ministry of Home is also doing preparation to amend the new Police Adjustment and Supervision Act through the new session of the House soon. 

After continuous pressure from the provincial governments, the government is going to proceed with the adjustment of the police. However, the ex-police officers said that there is a risk that after the adjustment, political interference in the police may increase, and there may be a clash between the central and provincial police, which may increase security challenges.

Former AIG Rajendra Singh Bhandari said that adjustment should not be rushed without finalising the issue of structure and authority. 

"Right now, questions are being raised about the structure of federalism," he said. "The Federal Police Act has not come yet, so making hasty adjustments at a time like this can have a far-reaching impact on the police organisation."

Former AIG Bigyan Raj Sharma argued that the police should not be taken into adjustment immediately and without issuing necessary work procedures. 

According to Sharma, when the adjustment is made, there will be an increase in discord between the police of one province and another, and this will increase the security challenge.

Adjustment number in provinces

The government had already finalised the police posts in the centre and provinces four years ago. Out of total vacancy of 79,541 in Nepal Police, 24,821 will remain in Nepal Police and remaining 54,720 will be adjusted in the seven provinces.   

Of the total number being adjusted, 10,717 will be adjusted in Koshi, 9,152 in Madhes, 7,345 in Bagmati, 6,745 in Gandaki, 9,443 in Lumbini, 5,458 in Karnali and 5,911 in Sudur Paschim. 

In the province, from policemen to DSP posts will be directly adjusted. 

There will be one Deputy Inspector General (DIG) and three SSP posts in each province. The DIG will be provincial police chief. There are two posts of SSP in the provincial police office and one in the provincial training centre. Accordingly, the posts of seven DIGs, 21 SSPs, 69 SPs, 181 DSPs, and 732 inspectors have been proposed in seven provinces. Similarly, there will be 2,257 police sub-inspectors, 5,274 assistant sub-inspectors, 10,611 head constables, 32,888 constables and 1,916 office assistants.

There will be one IGP, five AIGs, 27 DIGs and 58 SSPs in Nepal Police.

The posts of 101 SPs, 272 DSPs, and 756 inspectors have been maintained. 

The Headquarters has proposed to give incentive of five grades to the policemen undergoing adjustment in the province. However, there is a provision to add just two grades in the Police Adjustment Act, said the Headquarters.