The Central government has decided to retain NIA Chief Sharad Kumar for another year.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, which mete here on Friday, cleared his reappointment till October 31 next year.
This is the second extension for the senior IPS officer as the Director General (DG) of the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
A 1979 batch Haryana cadre officer, Kumar was appointed NIA Chief on July 30, 2013. He superannuated on October 31, 2015, after which the government continued his service as the NIA chief on contract basis.
“I am thankful to the government for entrusting me with the responsibility of steering the NIA for another year. The NIA has become a benchmark for credible anti-terror probes that can withstand international scrutiny. It is all because of the team of talented officers we have here. I am fortunate to be the part of the evolving journey of the agency for the last three years,” Kumar said.
Apparently, the government wants to use his experience for the benefit of the agency in completing some of the important cases, which include Pathankot terror case, terror strikes in Kashmir, Burdwan blast and Samjhauta blast case.
Kumar is also a two-time recipient of the President's Police Medal -- for meritorious services in 1996 and distinguished services in 2004.
