Gustakhi Maaf Haryana-Pawan Kumar Bansal
The Controversy Over DC Writing SP’s ACR During Bansi Lal's Tenure as CM: Extracts from "Inside Story of Haryana Police"
Gustakhi Maaf Haryana-Pawan Kumar Bansal
The Controversy Over DC Writing SP’s ACR During Bansi Lal’s Tenure as CM: Extracts from “Inside Story of Haryana Police”
In the early days following the formation of Haryana, a significant issue emerged regarding the practice of District Collectors (DCs) writing the Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs) of Superintendents of Police (SPs). This matter became a point of contention in the state’s administrative structure.
During a visit to Rohtak in 1967, then Chief Minister Ch. Bansi Lal was at the Canal Rest House along with Sh. L. Ishadas, DC Rohtak, Sh. H.S. Swan, SP Rohtak, and Ch. Ram Narain Singh, SDM Rohtak. Ch. Ram Narain Singh would later rise to prominence as a renowned DC in Haryana and was eventually elected as the MP for Bhiwani.
During the discussions, Rohtak’s SP, Sh. H.S. Swan, suggested to CM Bansi Lal: “Sir, you are the Supreme Commander of the forces in the state, and the SPs are your commanders in the districts. Therefore, it would be appropriate that nobody comes between the relationship of the CM and the SP in the districts. This means DCs should not write the ACRs of SPs.”
The CM, interested in understanding the views of the DC, turned to Sh. L. Ishadas, who, sensing the futility of the argument presented by the SP, chose to remain silent. The CM then turned to Ch. Ram Narain Singh, who was considered an expert in administrative matters, to seek his opinion. It is noteworthy that CM Bansi Lal had immense regard for Mr. Singh, as he had observed him closely even during his student years when Mr. Singh was the Nazim (DC) of Loharu State until its merger with the Government of India.
Ch. Ram Narain Singh offered his advice in his unique style: “In a district, there should not be two centers of power. One officer’s authority must be supreme so that he can be held accountable for everything in his district by the government. If you feel that it is improper for a DC to write the ACR of an SP, then there is no harm if the SP writes the ACR of the DC.”
At this point, Ch. Bansi Lal remarked, “Ch. Sahib, how can that happen! After all, the District Magistrate (DC) is a very old institution. Even during the British rule, the DC was considered the number one officer in the district.”
This discussion ultimately concluded in favor of the DCs. CM Bansi Lal decided that in Haryana, it would be the responsibility of DCs to write the ACRs of SPs. As a result of this decision, he also transferred I.G. Kr. Randeep Singh and SP Ch. Dharam Singh, who were seen as key figures in the police force, out of the state on deputation to the Government of India and other states.
Later, Rohtak SP H.S. Swan approached CM Bansi Lal, stating, “Sir, you are our supreme commander, and the DC should not come between you and us,” regarding the matter of writing the ACR of the SP by the DC.
This episode became a defining moment in Haryana’s administrative history and marked a significant shift in the relationship between police and administrative officers in the state.