Wanted: Confirmed teetotaller as first I-G

PATNA: Bihar is on a lookout for a “confirmed teetotaller” to man the newly-created post of inspector general of police to strictly implement prohibition in the state and “lead by example”.

“The prerequisite for the post, created during the last Cabinet meeting in November, is that the first incumbent should be able to lead by example to silence those who point an accusing finger towards officials despite successful implementation of the prohibition law,” a senior official at the Bihar police headquarters in Patna said.

Bihar became a dry state in April last year. Consuming, keeping or dealing in liquor is an offence under the state’s new prohibition law, which provides for imprisonment up to 10 years.

At least 95,000 people have been arrested across the state and over 74,000 cases lodged since the enforcement of prohibition but the smuggling of liquor has remained unabated.

“IG (prohibition) will be under the criminal investigation department (CID) just for namesake as it will have enormous power and interact directly with the chief minister. For CM Nitish Kumar, prohibition is at the focus of his governance at present as a tool for social transformation,” another senior official said.

He added there are not many in the race as the state has a shortage of IG-rank officials. Bihar has 35 IG-rank officials of whom 13 are on central deputation while five others are officers promoted from the state police service.

The stakes will be high for the

person taking charge as the incumbent will report directly to the CM, home secretary and the director general of police. The additional director general of police (headquarters) Sanjiv Kumar Singhal said the new post will be crucial to add momentum to the prohibition campaign and counteract smuggling.