Haryana: In a first, IPS officer to head sports department

CHANDIGARH: Additional director general of police (ADGP)-rank officer, O P Singh, has taken over as the principal secretary sports and youth affairs department . He is the first IPS officer to hold this post that is invariably held by senior IAS officers.
On taking charge of the department, ADGP Singh told TOI that his focus would be on developing sports as hobby among children and youth in the state so that they can be kept away from substance abuse.Singh would hold this position in addition to his present posting as special officer (community policing and outreach) in the chief minister's office (CMO).
However, the sports department is not new for Singh, as he has headed the department as its director from 2008-2012. During his previous tenure as director of the department, Singh devised and implemented participation, inclusion and excellence (PIE) model of sports promotion in Haryana.
His SPAT sports scholarship programme under 'Play for India' campaign, attracted over a million children to playgrounds across Haryana. In his around 28 years of service in the police force, he has served as SP in five districts, as police commissioner of Ambala-Panchkula and the inspector general of police of Rewari and Hisar ranges.
He played a key role in framing of Rules of Prevention of Money Laundering Act during his four-year stint from 2004-2007 in Union finance ministry. He is credited with having registered and investigated first-ever case under India's anti-money laundering law.
Singh had organised several marathons across the state in the recent past, which he believes helped in uniting people.
The effort has earned him the tag of 'The Marathon Man of Haryana'.
He was also awarded Indian President Police Medal for Meritorious Service in 2008 and Indian President Police Medal for Distinguished Service in 2017.
He is also credited with organising several regular events, including "Raahgiri", throughout the state.
Fourth IPS officer to hold IAS cadre post
The post of principal secretary of a department is an IAS cadre post. Singh has become fourth IPS officer in Haryana to get the charge of an IAS cadre post.
In August 2019, the Haryana government had appointed 1997-batch IPS officer Amitabh Singh Dhillon as the director general, mines and geology.
Earlier in 2016, the Manohar Lal Khattar government had appointed senior IPS officer Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor as the head of electricity distribution, transmission, and generation companies of Haryana. In July 2019, it had given an additional charge of managing director, Haryana Minerals Limited to Manoj Yadava, the present DGP.