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Who is Amit Agrawal-New Secretary of Department of Telecommunications ?

By
LO Bureau
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Amit Agrawal IAS

The central government on Friday (November 21, 2025) appointed senior IAS officer Amit Agrawal (IAS:1993:CG) as the new Secretary, Department of Telecommunications (DoT). He replaces Neeraj Mittal (IAS:1992:TN), who has been moved as Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG).

Agrawal, who was serving as Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, will now lead key national initiatives in telecom policy, spectrum management, digital infrastructure expansion, and regulatory coordination.

A Technocrat With Strong Central Government Experience

Born on 27 June 1970, Amit Agrawal is a graduate of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur. Over his 32-year service career, he has held several major assignments at both the Centre and the states of Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.

Many in bureaucratic circles describe him as “more of a central officer,” given that he has served 18 out of his 32 years with the Government of India.

Agrawal has been on central deputation continuously since December 2016, holding several high-profile roles, including:

  • Chief Executive Officer, UIDAI
  • Additional Secretary, Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY)
  • Joint Secretary, Ministry of Finance

State Tenure Before 2016

Between September 2013 and December 2016, Agrawal served in his cadre. He handled crucial responsibilities such as:

  • Finance Secretary, Government of Chhattisgarh
  • Secretary, Departments of Commercial Tax and Technical Education

Before this state stint, from July 2004 to November 2012, he was again on central deputation. During this period, he served in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in multiple roles, rising from Deputy Secretary to Joint Secretary.

Early Career

Amit Agrawal began his civil service journey with his first appointment as Assistant Collector in Raipur. Over the years, he worked in several important departments in the state, including:

  • General Administration Department (GAD)
  • Panchayat & Rural Development
  • Information Technology
  • Biotechnology
  • Technical Education
  • Finance

His strong administrative grounding and long central experience are seen as major assets as he steps into the leadership role at the Department of Telecommunications.

Meet Manoj Joshi—New Union Secretary of Pharmaceuticals Department

By
LO Bureau
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Manoj Joshi IAS

Senior IAS officer Manoj Joshi (IAS:1989:KL), currently serving as Secretary in the Department of Land Resources under the Ministry of Rural Development, has been appointed as the new Secretary of the Department of Pharmaceuticals in the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers. He will take over from Amit Agrawal (IAS:1993:CG), who has been shifted to lead the Department of Telecommunications.

A seasoned administrator with a strong delivery record

Born on January 13, 1967, Joshi holds a B.E. in Mechanical Engineering, a Certificate in Financial Management, and a PG Diploma in Management. Known in bureaucratic circles as a firm, results-driven administrator, he has held several high-impact positions across both the Centre and the Kerala state government, earning a reputation for efficiency and steady leadership.

Over the years, he has handled major assignments in economic affairs, urban development, land resources, commerce, MSME, finance, and senior roles in the Secretariat. One of his notable state-level stints was in 2011, when he served as Secretary to the Chief Minister — a crucial responsibility in his parent cadre.

On central deputation since 2020

Joshi has been on his current central deputation since January 2020. He began this tenure as Additional Secretary, Food Processing Industries in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, and was later promoted as Special Secretary in the same department.

In December 2021, he moved to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs as OSD, in line to take over as Secretary after the then incumbent’s superannuation. He formally assumed charge on January 1, 2022 and served as Secretary, MoHUA, until March 5, 2024, before being posted to the Ministry of Rural Development as Secretary, Department of Land Resources.

His latest posting to the Department of Pharmaceuticals adds another important milestone to an already distinguished central career.

Two prior stints at the Centre

This is not Joshi’s first exposure to the Centre. He has earlier served on two central deputations:

• March 9, 2012 – June 8, 2017: Served as Joint Secretary in DoPT, followed by senior roles in Finance and MSME before returning to the state cadre.
• July 12, 1999 – February 2, 2008: Served in the Ministry of Commerce as Deputy Secretary and Director. During this period, he was also posted on a foreign assignment at the Embassy of India, Washington D.C., through the Commerce Ministry.

Early career beginnings

Joshi started his bureaucratic journey as Sub-Collector in Kerala and subsequently helmed multiple important assignments at the state level. Throughout his career, he has been known for administrative clarity, quick decision-making and outcome-driven governance — traits that have defined his professional trajectory.

Madras HC stays proceedings against IPS officer in custodial torture cases

By
LO Bureau
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IPS Balveer Singh

The Madras High Court stayed the trial court proceedings against an IPS officer in four custodial torture cases on Friday. The cases had been registered by the Tirunelveli CB-CID against IPS officer Balveer Singh (IPS:2020:TN). Singh had moved the High Court challenging the orders passed by the trial court, framing charges against him in the custodial torture cases.

Hearing the criminal revision petitions, filed by Singh, Justice Shamim Ahmed passed the interim order staying the trial court proceedings. The alleged incidents took place when Singh was serving as Ambasamudram assistant superintendent of police (ASP).

In his petitions, Singh stated that false allegations were levelled against him by anti-social elements when he was posted as ASP of Ambasamudram sub-division in Tirunelveli district in 2022. He submitted that he used to get numerous complaints about anti-social elements indulging in criminal acts, so he had to take stern action against people with criminal backgrounds.

Singh also informed the court that the trial court framed the charges against him in Tamil, a language not known to him. Besides, he was not even provided the translated version of the chargesheet and witness statements before framing the charges against him, which resulted in the deprivation of his right to defend himself effectively. The court adjourned the hearing to Jan 27, 2026, after passing the interim order.

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Himachal High Court dismisses PIL challenging service extension of former CS Prabodh Saxena

By
LO Bureau
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IAS Prabodh Saxena

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the service extension given to former Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena. The court upheld the government’s decision to give a service extension to Saxena.

The government had granted Saxena a six-month extension on March 28, 2025, thereby extending his service until September 30, 2025. A PIL challenging the extension of Saxena’s service was filed by Atul Sharma in the High Court.

A division bench of Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Justice Ranjan Sharma heard the PIL and dismissed it, thus upholding Saxena’s extension.

The court had directed the Central and State governments to submit the complete records so that the justification for granting the extension could be examined properly. The High Court had also asked the central government to provide details of the precise reasons given for granting the extension and the nature of the public interest.

The court virtually sought clarity on the legal authority of the Central government for granting this approval. The Centre stated that it accepted the state government’s request for granting an extension of Saxena’s tenure in the public interest.

Three key moves stand out in Rajasthan’s reshuffle of 48 IAS officers

By
LO Bureau
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Rajasthan CMO Reshuffle

Rajasthan’s latest reshuffle of 48 IAS officers has triggered intense discussion within the administrative fraternity, with three major developments emerging as particularly significant. Two of these moves are being closely linked to the series of events that culminated in former Chief Secretary Sudhansh Pant’s (IAS:1990:RJ) appointment as Union Secretary in the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, on November 10, followed by V. Srinivas (IAS:1989:RJ) taking charge as the new Chief Secretary.

Akhil Arora takes charge of CMO, replacing Shikhar Agrawal

The most prominent change revolves around Shikhar Agrawal (IAS:1993:RJ). Agrawal, who had been serving as Additional Chief Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), has been moved out and replaced by his batchmate Akhil Arora (IAS:1993:RJ). Arora will now head the CMO while retaining his current portfolios as ACS, PHED and Ground Water Departments.

Agrawal, meanwhile, has been assigned the charge of ACS, Industries and MSME Departments.

This shift in the CMO comes close on the heels of V. Srinivas taking over as Chief Secretary. The reported discord between former CS Sudhansh Pant and Shikhar Agrawal—particularly over transfer-related decisions and alleged bypassing of files—had become a talking point in the corridors of the state bureaucracy. Many believe this friction played a role in Pant’s decision to seek central deputation.

Alok Gupta shifted from Industries to Pollution Control Board

Another significant development involves Alok Gupta (IAS:1996:RJ). Gupta, who was serving as Principal Secretary for Industries and MSME, has been moved out of the Secretariat and appointed as Chairperson, Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board.

Notably, Gupta had served as Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister until June this year. He was considered to share strong professional alignment with former CS Pant. After his exit from the CMO, several officers felt that coordination between the CMO and the Chief Secretary’s office had weakened substantially.

With the present changes, both the Centre and the State leadership appear focused on restoring smooth administrative functioning—now under the stewardship of Chief Secretary V Srinivas.

33 IFS officers transferred in Rajasthan

By
LO Bureau
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Indian Forest Service

The Rajasthan government on Friday (November 21, 2025) issued major transfer and posting orders for 33 Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers. The reshuffle has resulted in significant changes in postings across the state cadre, affecting several field and headquarters positions.

48 IAS officers shifted in Rajasthan; Akhil Arora is new ACS to CM

By
LO Bureau
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Rajasthan's employees' welfare

The Rajasthan government on Friday (November 21, 2025) issued a major reshuffle in the state bureaucracy, transferring and posting 48 IAS officers across key departments.

One of the most significant changes is the exit of Shikhar Agarwal from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO). Senior bureaucrat Akhil Arora has been appointed in his place, marking a crucial administrative shift within the top decision-making office of the state.

32 IPS officers transferred in Telangana

By
LO Bureau
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Telangana

The Telangana government on Friday (November 21, 2025) issued a major reshuffle in the police department, transferring and posting 32 IPS officers across the state. According to the order, senior officers along with several district SPs, DCPs, and ASPs have been moved to new assignments.

The names of the officers and their postings are as follows;

  1. Devendra Singh Chauhan (IPS:1997:TG), ADG, Multizone-II, Hyderabad, has been transferred as ADG (Personnel) in the O/o DGP, Telangana with full additional charge of ADG, Multizone-II, Hyderabad.
  2. J Parimala Hana Nutan Jacob (IPS:2009:TG), Joint Commissioner of Police (Admin), Hyderabad City and incharge of Jont Commissioner of Police, TGCCC, Hyderabad, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Inspector General of Police, CID.
  3. Dr. Chetana Mylabathula (IPS:2013:TG), SP, Women Safety Wing, Hyderabad, has been assigned new responsibility of Deputy Director, RBVRR TGPA, Hyderabad.
  4. K. Narayana Reddy (IPS:2013:TG), SP, Vikarabad, has been posted as DCP, Maheshwaram Zone, Rachakonda.
  5. P.V. Padmaja (IPS:2013:TG), DCP, Malkajgiri, Rachakonda, has been transferred and posted as SP (Admin), Telangana Anti-Narcotics Bureau.
  6. Dr. Patil Sangramsingh Ganpatrao (IPS:2015:TG), SP, CID, Hyderabad, has been transferred and posted as SP, Nagarkurnool District.
  7. Khare Kiran Prabhakar (IPS:2017:TG), SP, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, has been transferred and posted as DCP, South Zone, Hyderabad.
  8. Chennuri Rupesh (IPS:2017:TG), SP, Telangana Anti-Narcotics Bureau, Hyderabad, has been transferred and posted as DCP, SM&BT, Hyderabad City.
  9. Dr Shabarish P (IPS:2017:TG), SP, Mulugu, has been transferred and posted as SP, Mahabubabad.
  10. Nitika Pant (IPS:2017:TG), Commandant, 2nd Battalion, Telangana Special Police, Yadalaguda, Adilabad, has been transferred as SP, Kumuram Bheem Asifabad.
  11. R Giridhar (IPS:2017:TG), SP, Wanaparty District, has been posted as SP, TG Anti-Narcotics Bureau.
  12. Sneha Mehra (IPS:2018:TG), DCP, South Zone, Hyderabad City, has been transferred and posted as SP, Vikarabad.
  13. Gaikwad Vaibhav Raghunath (IPS:2018:TG), SP, Nagarkurnool District, has been transferred as SP, Task Force, Hyderabad City.
  14. Kekan Sudhir Ramnath (IPS:2018:TG), SP, Mahabubabad, has been transferred as SP, Mulugu.
  15. Sirisetty Sankeerth (IPS:2020:TG), ADC to Governor, has been transferred as SP, Jayashankar Bhupalpally.
  16. Patil Kantilal Subhash (IPS:2020:TG), SP, Kumuram Bheem Asifabad, has been transferred as ADC to Governor.
  17. B Ram Reddy (IPS:2020:TG), SP, CID, has been transferred and posted as DCP, Peddapally Ramagundam.
  18. Ch. Sridhar (IPS:2020:TG), SP, Intelligence, has been transferred as DCP (Operations), Malkajgiri, Rachakonda.
  19. Avinash Kumar (IPS:2021:TG), SDPO, Bhainsa, has been transferred and posted as Addl. SP, Operations, B. Kothagudem.
  20. Ms. Kajal (IPS:2021:TG), SDPO, Untoor, Adilabad, has been transferred as Addl. SP/ASP, Grade-I, Adilabad.
  21. Kankanala Rahul Reddy (IPS:2021:TG), SDPO, Bhongir, Rachakonda, has been transferred as Addl. SP/ASP, Grade-I, Bhongir
  22. M Sheshadri Reddy Suruconti (IPS:2021:TG), SDPO, Vemulawada, Rajanna Sircilla, has been transferred and posted as Addl. SP (Admin), Jagital.
  23. Shivam Upadhyaya (IPS:2021:TG), SDPO, Eturunagaram, Mulugu, has been transferred as Additional SP (Operations), Mulugu Hqrs.
  24. Rajesh Meena (IPS:2022:TG), ASP, Nirmal, has been transferred and posted as SDPO, Bhainsa.
  25. P. Mounika (IPS:2022:TG), ASP, Devarakonda, has been transferred and posted as Addl. SP/ASP, Grade-I (Admn), Adilabad.
  26. Manan Bhat (IPS:2023:TG), ASP, Greyhounds, has been transferred and posted as ASP/SDPO, Ethurunagaram.
  27. Pathipaka Sai Kiran (IPS:2023:TG), ASP, Greyhounds, has been transferred and posted as ASP, Nirmal.
  28. Ruthwik Sai Kotte (IPS:2023:TG), ASP, Greyhounds, has been transferred as ASP, Vemulawada.
  29. Yadav Vasundhara Faurebi (IPS:2023:TG), ASP, Greyhounds, has been transferred as ACP, Sathupally (Kalluru), Khammam.
  30. S Sreenivas (IPS), waiting for posting, has been posted as SP, TG TRANSCO.
  31. D. Sunitha (IPS), waiting for posting, has been posted as SP, Wanaparthy.
  32. K Gunasekhar (IPS), waiting for posting, has been posted as DCP, Crimes, Rachakonda.

HC objects to IAS officer holding triple charge and heading two autonomous bodies simultaneously

By
LO Bureau
-
Punjab & Haryana High Court

The Punjab and Haryana High Court came down heavily on the Punjab government for arbitrarily concentrating roles in the hand of an IAS officer. The court has sought explanation from the Chief Secretary as to how the state government deputed an IAS officer to simultaneously head two autonomous bodies—PSPCL and Transco—while also serving as the Principal Secretary (Power). The court said that PSPCL and Transco are autonomous bodies meant to function without external interference, but the IAS officer is heading both.

The IAS officer in question is Ajoy Kumar Sinha, who heads both PSPCL and Transco while also serving as principal secretary of the power department.  

Justice Harpreet Singh Brar has now asked the State Chief Secretary to explain whether the Chairman-cum-Managing Director posts of PSPCL and Transco were cadre posts for IAS officers, and if not, how IAS officers were being deputed to head the autonomous entities.

The matter came before Justice Brar after a bunch of petitions was filed against Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) and other respondents.

The court was told that the Punjab State Electricity Board was bifurcated into Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) and Punjab Transmission Corporation Limited (Transco). The Punjab government subsequently notified the Punjab Power Sector Reforms Transfer Scheme for the transfer of functions, assets, properties, rights, liabilities, and personnel of the erstwhile PSEB pursuant to a tripartite agreement. The state government retained the power to decide the transfer of personnel from PSPCL to Transco and permanent absorption of such personnel in Transco.

The court observed that the government was supposed to constitute a committee for the transfer and absorption of personnel from PSPCL to Transco. But the transfers and absorptions were being done in an arbitrary manner, motivated by nepotism and favouritism.

The court then asked the state govt to file an affidavit on why the time limit had not been fixed for completion of the transfer and absorption or the committee’s constitution.

Raipur to become mini-PMO as Modi, Shah, Dobhal camp to attend DGP conference

By
LO Bureau
-
PM Narendra Modi

The capital city of Chhattisgarh, Naya Raipur, is going to bear the spectacle of a mini-PMO as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and NSA Ajit Dobhal will be camping there for three days from Nov 28 to 30. They will be attending the DGP/IGP conference, which is going to be held at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) campus.

The state is hosting this conference for the first time and hence, is gearing to showcase its culture, infrastructure, and hospitality on a national stage. During this period, the Speaker’s House in Naya Raipur will turn into a temporary PMO, as the PM will also be staying there. Interestingly, none of the VVIPs will be staying in hotels or private facilities, and all accommodation is being arranged in government buildings in Naya Raipur. PM Modi is expected to arrive on the evening of Nov 28.

Apart from the country’s top dignitaries, around 300 VVIPs, including home secretaries and director generals of police (DGPs) from all states and 20 DG/ADG-rank officers from central paramilitary forces, will also be attending this 60th edition of the DGP conference. In addition, the DGPs of larger states will be accompanied by two senior officers, while smaller states will send one additional officer each.

The state government has made an elaborate security bandobast with around 2,000 personnel being deployed between the Speaker’s House and the IIM campus alone, with around 650 vehicles at command. In addition to it, separate companies will be posted around the residences of the Prime Minister, Home Minister, NSA and IB chief and will remain on duty throughout the three-day event.

An ADG-rank officer, assisted by half a dozen IGs, about a dozen DIGs, and several SP-rank officers, will be responsible for an overall ground security. Chhattisgarh DGP Arun Dev Gautam and ADG (Intelligence) Amit Kumar are busy in conducting review meetings at police headquarters while monitoring preparations.

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