**Title:** Tamil Nadu Appoints G. Venkataraman as Acting DGP Amid Controversy
**Meta Description:** The Tamil Nadu government has appointed G. Venkataraman as the acting DGP, sparking criticism from former BJP leader K. Annamalai over the decision.
**URL Slug:** tamil-nadu-venkataraman-acting-dgp-controversy
**Headline:** Tamil Nadu Government Appoints G. Venkataraman as Acting DGP, Faces Backlash
The Tamil Nadu government announced on Sunday the appointment of senior IPS officer G. Venkataraman as the acting Director General of Police (DGP) and Head of Police Force (HoPF) for the state. This decision follows the retirement of Shankar Jiwal, who held the position until Sunday morning.
Venkataraman’s appointment has drawn criticism from former BJP state president K. Annamalai, who labeled the move as illegal and expressed concerns that it could undermine the police force’s effectiveness. Annamalai pointed out that Venkataraman was chosen over six senior IPS officers, including Seema Agarwal, Sandeep Rai Rathore, Abhay Kumar Singh, Vanniyaperumal, Rajeev Kumar, and Pramod Kumar, raising questions about the rationale behind bypassing these experienced officials.
Annamalai further noted that among the eight DGPs currently serving, six who are senior to Venkataraman, along with two juniors, boycotted the appointment ceremony. He expressed his apprehension about maintaining law and order, attributing the current issues within the police force to internal conflicts and power struggles instigated by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.
Highlighting concerns over women’s safety, Annamalai referenced a Union Government report indicating that Chennai ranks 21st among 31 cities in terms of safety for women, with only 6% feeling completely safe. He condemned the DMK government for this situation and criticized Chief Minister Stalin for fostering discord within the police ranks, asserting that the appointment of Venkataraman was not legally sanctioned.
Annamalai has called for the immediate submission of a list of five candidates for the DGP position to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), urging that the appointment be made from the three names recommended by the Commission.
At the ceremony, Jiwal, a 1990 batch IPS officer, formally handed over responsibilities to Venkataraman, marking a significant transition in the state’s police leadership. Following his retirement, Jiwal has been appointed as the Chairman of the newly established Tamil Nadu Fire Commission, effective September 1.
In a related development, Vinit Dev Wankhede, currently serving as DGP Headquarters, has been appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director of the Tamil Nadu Police Housing Corporation Limited, succeeding Shailesh Kumar Yadav, who has also retired.
**FAQ Section:**
**Q: Who is the new acting DGP of Tamil Nadu?**
A: G. Venkataraman has been appointed as the acting Director General of Police for Tamil Nadu, succeeding Shankar Jiwal.
