Dr Rajendra Prasad Sharma as the New Director General of Police of Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government today appointed Dr Rajendra Prasad Sharma as the new Director General of Police (DGP) while the existing DGP K B Singh has been named as the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC), official sources said.

He will take charge as the new DGP of the State on 31st August,2017, the sources added.

Dr Sharma, who had served as the Cuttack-Bhubaneswar Twin City Commissioner of Police between August 2013 and January 2016, is now serving as the Director General of the State Vigilance.

Home department sources said Sharma was given the police post in the State for having registered a record number of corruption related cases against public servants and cracking whip on officers since he joined vigilance in January 2016.

Speaking to the media about his new role, the 1986 batch IPS Sharma said, ” It’s a big challenge and I will try to deliver my best.”

An MBBS by qualification and a law degree holder, Sharma, known for his cool and polite demeanour, had joined as Police Commissioner of Bhubaneswar-Cuttack on August 12, 2013. He had earlier served in narcotics control bureau and national security guard.

Similarly, Crime Branch Special DGP BK Sharma, who was considered as the blue-eyed officer of the State Police, has been appointed as Director General (Prisons).

On the other hand, IPS officer Arun Ray was posted as the ADG, Police Headquarters.

The announcement came when the outgoing DGP was holding a hold a high-level meeting regarding anti-Maoist operations in Sambalpur.