PATNA, Oct. 6 -- The Bihar government on Monday extended the additional charge of Director General of Police (DGP) to Preeta Verma, a 1991-batch IPS officer, ensuring continuity at the top of the state police force until a regular appointment is made. Chief minister Samrat Choudhary approved the proposal to entrust Preeta Verma with the additional responsibilities. Verma is currently the senior-most among the officers being considered for the permanent DGP position and is the first woman IPS officer to hold the state's DGP charge in an acting capacity. Verma is also serving as Director General-cum-Commander General, Home Guard and Fire Services. Meanwhile, the formal process for selecting his successor as DGP is now underway, with the final appointment to follow the prescribed UPSC and state government procedure. Earlier on September 16, Preeta Verma had taken additional charge as DGP of Bihar during the 21-days-leave period of 1991 batch IPS Vinay Kumar. Later, Kumar, applied for VRS on September 25, which was accepted "with immediate effect" by the state government. The former DGP was supposed to retire on December 12, 2026 having got a two-year extension of service after he took over as DGP in December, 2024. Verma's appointment provides the government with a senior officer to head the police force while the legal proceedings and the formal selection process continue. The temporary arrangement assumes significance as the DGP, as the Head of Police Force, oversees law and order, crime control, investigations and major policing operations across the state. The government has not indicated how long the additional-charge arrangement will continue or whether a regular DGP will be appointed immediately. Until then, Preeta Verma is expected to oversee the state police administration in an acting capacity. Another prominent name in the selection process is 1992-batch IPS officer B. Srinivasan, who is currently serving as Director General of the National Security Guard (NSG) on central deputation. 1993-batch IPS officer Jitendra Singh Gangwar is also considered a key contender. Gangwar has served in Bihar in senior police positions, including as DGP Vigilance, and has extensive experience in police administration. The extension of Preeta Verma's additional charge provides continuity at the top of the Bihar Police while the process for appointing a regular DGP continues....