Punjab Police may demote Harbhajan, Jugraj
Shariq A. Tariq
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CHANDIGARH, Sept 18 :- Star cricketer Harbhajan Singh and hockey hero
Jugraj Singh were among 340 sportspersons facing demotion in the
Punjab Police following a court order on out of turn promotions in the
Force.
On a petition by the police personnel in the general category, the
Punjab High Court, in July this year, gave directions that out of turn
promotions beyond permissible limits under Punjab Police rules should
be reverted.
While Harbhajan Singh is working in the rank of Deputy Superintendent
of Police (DSP), Jugraj Singh is employed as Inspector. Other
prominent stars in Punjab Police include athlete Sunita Rani (DSP) and
hockey forward Gagan Ajit Singh (DSP).
Among those athletes facing reversion nine are in the rank of DSPs, 80
Inspectors and 70 Sub-Inspectors. The rest are in the rank of
Assistant SIs and Head Constables, official sources said here today.
According to the Punjab Police rules, there has been a quota of five
per cent for out of turn promotion of sportspersons for their
excellent performance at the national or international level.
As per the decision approximately 2200 police personnel, including
those recruited under the sports quota, would be reverted, official
sources said.
Out of these 340 are from the sports category, the sources said,
adding that "the entire matter along with the draft proposal for
laying down policy guidelines for recruitment of sportsmen has been
discussed in a meeting held in the office of Additional DGP
Administration on September 15."