Bhubaneswar, Aug 7 (IANS) The Odisha government on Wednesday gave additional charge to 1986-batch IPS officer Bijay Kumar Sharma by appointing him as the Director General of Police (DGP) following the appointment of incumbent DGP R.P. Sharma as a Lokayukta member.

Currently, Sharma is serving as DG Fire Services and Home Guards.

Bijay Kumar Sharma has been asked to take additional charge of the post of DGP until further orders, according to a notification of Home department.

During his 33 years of service in the Indian Police Services, Sharma has served the state government as well as the central government with distinction.

For seven years, from 1999 to 2006, Sharma served in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on deputation. He was Commissioner of Police, Bhubaneswar-Cuttack for four years from May 2008 to May 2012.

He also headed the State Crime Branch, Criminal Investigation Department, for seven years in the rank of IG, Additional DG and Special D.G. of Police.

Sharma also served as Chief of the Odisha Prison Department briefly before heading the Home Guards, Fire Services and Civil Defense Organisation.