Trained as doctor and lawyer, Rajendra Prasad Sharma is new DGP of Odisha

Vigilance chief Rajendra Prasad Sharma succeeded Kunwar Brajesh Singh as the new director-general of police of Odisha on Wednesday.
New director-general of police (DGP) of Odisha Rajendra Prasad Sharma. | Express Photo Service
New director-general of police (DGP) of Odisha Rajendra Prasad Sharma. | Express Photo Service

BHUBANESWAR: Vigilance chief Dr Rajendra Prasad Sharma was appointed as the new Director-General of Police (DGP) of Odisha on Wednesday. He succeeded Kunwar Brajesh Singh, who is now posted as CMD of the Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC).

Dr Sharma, a 1986 batch IPS officer, was serving as head of the anti-corruption agency of the State government since last year. “It is an honour as well as a huge responsibility. I will do my best,” Dr Sharma told this paper after the Government officially announced his elevation to the top post.

A native of Rajasthan’s Ajmer district, Dr Sharma is a doctor by qualification and holds a law degree.
That apart, he has a French Fellowship in HIV Medicine and an M Phil degree on his CV.

Last year, he was elevated to the DG rank and posted as DG, Vigilance. He not only started a drive against corruption in rural housing schemes but also launched a number of citizen services to enhance the access and reach of the anti-corruption wing.

The police chief started his career as an ASP (under training) at Police Training College, Angul as well as Bubhaneswar before being posted as SDPO, Rayagada. He served as SP in Kalahandi, Berhampur, Dhenkanal and Balasore between 1990 and 2001. He also served as DIG in Crime Branch and Central Range.

In 2004, Dr Sharma proceeded on Central deputation during which he held prestigious positions with National Security Guard (NSG). Between 2004 and 2013, he was elevated from DIG to IG at the special forces unit of the country. He also served with the UN in its Support Mission at Haiti as well as the drug administration.

Upon his return from Central deputation, Dr Sharma was appointed as Police Commissioner of Bhubaneswar-Cuttack in August 2013.

During his tenure as the police chief of the twin city, he brought in several citizen initiatives which got the Commissionerate of Police FICCI Awards for smart policing in Women Safety and Elderly Safety.

In his stint as Police Commissioner, Pink Auto service was introduced while women support centre ‘Maadhyam’, self-defence training to girl students and working women and ‘Mo Saathi’ mobile application for women in distress, were launched.

K B Singh cancels media interaction

DGP K B Singh, who was on a visit to Sambalpur on Wednesday, cancelled his interaction with the media and other appointments scheduled in the evening after news of him being replaced by R P Sharma as the new police chief came in. However, he did not attribute the cancellation to any reason.

Sources said Singh was in the midst of a review meeting on Naxalite situation in districts under Northern Range when Sambalpur SP Sanjeev Arora came out and informed mediapersons waiting outside that the DGP has cancelled his scheduled interaction with them.

Singh had reached Jharsuguda in the morning and dedicated an automobile fuel outlet in 2nd Battalion OSAP on the outskirts of the town. He had also visited the airport at Jharsuguda, which is undergoing a major overhaul and reviewed the security provisions before reaching Sambalpur in the evening.

He was accompanied by Additional DG (Hqrs) Satyajit Mohanty, IG (Operations) R P Koche, DIG (SIW) Narsingha Bhol, Commandant SOG Anoop Krishna, IG (Northern Range) Sushanta Kumar Nath besides SPs of Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Balangir and Sonepur.

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