New Delhi (12.11.2021): Two strong contenders have emerged for the post of Indian Coast Guard (ICG) DG following the Ministry of Defence (MoD) initiating the process to fill the gap to arise from the retirement of incumbent Director-General G K Natarajan scheduled on December 31, 2021.

The two reported contenders are ICG's Additional Director General Rajan Bargotra, Chief of the Western Sea Board and VS Pathania, ADG, New Delhi Headquarters. While the latter enjoys clear seniority over the former, Bargotra's chances are not seen constricted in any way by this factor.

On November 15, the MoD is scheduled to hold a meeting of the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) to select the next DG, according to an official order issued on last week.  Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar will chair the three-member committee (DPC) that includes two additional secretary rank officers.

Meantime, it is learned that DG Natarajan has been assigned a post-retirement international job of Executive Director, Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ED of ReCAAP) Information Sharing Centre, Singapore. He was elected for this assignment in August this year.

(By Rakesh Ranjan)

ALSO READ:

Natarajan elected as the next ED of ReCAAP, Singapore (06.08.2021)