A government panel has interviewed seven eligible police officers for promotion to the post of Additional Inspector General of Police (AIG).

The three-member panel-formed under home secretary Dr Govind Kusum with law secretary Madhav Paudel and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ramesh Chand Thakuri to make recommendations on promotions in Nepal Police- interviewed Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG)s Naresh Gurung, Madan Khadka, Kalyan Timilsina, Kiran Gautam, Bharat GC, Sharada Bhakta Ranjit and Prakash Kunwar on Saturday.

This is the first time police officers have been interviewed for a promotion. Traditionally officers used to be promoted on the basis of seniority. The government has started the new practice with a policy to promote police officers based on calibre, instead of mere seniority.

The DIGs interviewed Saturday delivered power-point presentations and answered questions on how they would lead Nepal Police if promoted and their opinions on reforms required in Nepal Police.

Five AIG positions have remained vacant for last two months after erstwhile AIGs Shyam Singh Thapa, Dipendra Bista, Ramesh Kumar Shrestha and Krishna Shrestha retired and Ramesh Chand Thakuri got promoted to IGP in February.

The Human Resources, Operations, Crime Investigation and Administration Departments, and Office of the Commissioner of Metropolitan Police and National Police Academy of Nepal Police are headed by AIGs. Due to the vacancy of AIGs, acting chiefs are heading all departments but the academy.

The Council of Ministers will decide on the promotions based on the recommendations made by the panel. nepalnews.com Apr 19 09