Senior IPS officer Rajesh Ranjan on Wednesday took charge as 27th Director General of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at the force's headquarters here.
Ranjan assumed his office a day after the Personnel Ministry appointed him to the post that was lying vacant after incumbent O.P. Singh took over as Uttar Pradesh Police's Director General in January.
A ceremonial guard of honour was presented to Ranjan.
The government on Tuesday appointed Ranjan, a 1984 batch officer of Bihar cadre, as CISF chief till November 30, 2020, the date of his retirement from service.
Prior to his appointment as CISF chief, Ranjan was Special Director General in Border Security Force at the force's headquarters here since March 20 last year.
A post graduate in English, Ranjan, who was selected into the Indian Police Service (IPS) at the age of 24, has held many important and sensitive positions. He served as Superintendent of Police in four districts in Bihar, and also held key posts at the state police headquarters.
Ranjan has also served with the Central Bureau of Investigation and as Financial and High Tech Crime Sub Directorate at the Interpol General Secretariat in Lyon, France. He has also served as Chief Vigilance Officer in Gas Authority of India Ltd.
He has been decorated with the Police Medal for Meritorious Service in 2000 and President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service in 2008.
Now, Ranjan will lead the CISF which has become a premier multi-skilled security agency, mandated to provide security to major critical infrastructure installations of the country in diverse areas.
The CISF, which came into existence in 1969, is currently providing security cover to nuclear installations, space establishments, airports, seaports, power plants, sensitive government buildings and ever heritage monuments.
Among the important responsibilities entrusted to the CISF are the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, VIP Security, Disaster Management and establishment of a Formed Police Unit of the UN at Haiti.
--IANS
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