Word from MHA, Guv lands Aravinda top job

Ending days of suspense, the Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, on Tuesday appointed Mr K. Aravinda Rao as the new director general of police.

A positive endorsement from the ministry of home affairs and a word of support from the Governor, Mr E.S.L. Narasimhan, helped Mr Aravinda Rao edge out another top contender, Mr Umesh Kumar, and get the coveted post.

It was his track record in handling crisis situations that worked things in Mr Aravinda Rao’s favour. The 1977 batch IPS official would have to summon this skill soon enough with the Sri Krishna panel getting ready to submit its report on Telangana in December.

After waiting till the eleventh hour, the Chief Minister posted Mr Umesh Kumar as director general of Anti Corruption Bureau.

Another contender for the DGP’s post, Mr A. Sivashankar, was posted in the AP Road Safety Authority.

Mr Umesh Kumar was holding the post of director -general (provisions and logistics) and Mr Sivashankar was chairman of the Andhra Pradesh State Level Recruitment Board.

Mr Aravinda Rao, who has handled many key posts including that of ADGP (intelligence), will be DGP of the State for ten months. Mr Aravinda Rao also has rich experience in tackling Maoists and factionists in various districts. Further, he is adept at gathering political intelligence.

The new DGP said that maintaining law and order was his top priority. “There is a general feeling that this is turbulent time,” he said.