The Himachal Pradesh government on Tuesday reassigned responsibilities held by DGP Atul Verma (IPS:1991:HP), ACS (Home) Onkar Chand Sharma (IAS:1994:HP), and Shimla SP Sanjeev Gandhi (IPS:2012:HP), who were recently directed to proceed on leave over alleged indiscipline.
Ashok Tiwari (IPS:1993:HP), Director General of State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, has been given additional charge as Director General of Police. Gaurav Singh (IPS:2013:HP), currently Solan SP, has been assigned additional charge as Shimla SP.
Kamlesh Kumar Pant (IAS:1993:HP), presently ACS (Forests), will now hold additional charge of the Home, Vigilance, and Revenue Departments. He will also serve as Chairperson of the State Pollution Control Board.
Further, Technical Education Secretary Kadam Sandeep Vasant (IAS:2008:HP) has been given additional charge of the Jal Shakti Department, while Ayush Department Secretary Rakhil Kahlon (IAS:2008:HP) will take charge of the Tribal Development Department.
In a dramatic turn of events, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday (May 28) directed state DGP Atul Verma (IPS:1991:HP), Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Onkar Chand Sharma (IAS:1994:HP), and Shimla Superintendent of Police Sanjeev Gandhi (IPS:2012:HP) to proceed on leave, following an unprecedented public fallout within the state police hierarchy. The decision came after a three-hour high-level meeting chaired by the Chief Minister, who expressed “strong displeasure” over the unfolding crisis.
The action was prompted by SP Sanjeev Gandhi’s stunning press conference on May 24, where he publicly accused DGP Verma, ACS Sharma, and Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena (IAS:1990:HP) of interfering in the investigation into the controversial death of Vimal Negi, Chief Engineer-cum-GM of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL). Gandhi’s remarks, considered a serious breach of discipline, triggered severe embarrassment for the government.
A day after Gandhi’s press conference, DGP Verma had recommended the suspension of the Shimla SP. The state government, however, opted for a broader disciplinary response. All three officials—DGP, ACS (Home), and the SP—were relieved of their responsibilities and sent on leave. The government also revoked all portfolios held by ACS Sharma and reassigned his charges. Additionally, show-cause notices have been issued to both the DGP and SP Gandhi for indiscipline.
DGP Atul Verma’s departure is especially significant as it comes just days ahead of his scheduled retirement on May 31.
The trigger behind this administrative turmoil is the handling of the Vimal Negi death case, which had become a political flashpoint. While the state initially constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under SP Gandhi, pressure from the Opposition and Negi’s family led to the High Court transferring the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on May 23.
Tensions escalated further when DGP Verma submitted an affidavit to the Himachal Pradesh High Court raising concerns over the SIT’s impartiality, while SP Gandhi simultaneously filed a status report asserting that the probe was progressing “unbiasedly.” The ACS Home also came under fire for bypassing the Advocate General’s office while filing a status report in court.
The CM’s swift action appears aimed at damage control amid growing public scrutiny and internal discord.
The ongoing standoff between the Central and Jharkhand governments over the tenure of state DGP Anurag Gupta (IPS:1990:JH) has deepened, with the Centre issuing a third letter urging his removal. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has reiterated its position that Gupta’s continuation as Director General of Police after April 30 is unconstitutional and in violation of All India Services Rules.
The letter, received by the Jharkhand government three days ago, asserts that the Centre considers Gupta retired and has advised the state to take immediate corrective action. Chief Minister Hemant Soren has been apprised, and the issue is currently under deliberation at the highest level of the state administration.
DGP Anurag Gupta was originally due to superannuate on April 30, 2025. However, the state government, ahead of this deadline, introduced new rules in January, enabling it to appoint the DGP independently—without routing the selection through the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Under the earlier system, a panel of names was to be sent by the UPSC to the state, which would then appoint one among them.
The Jharkhand government constituted a special committee, chaired by a retired High Court judge, which recommended Anurag Gupta’s name. Acting on this, the state appointed him as DGP in February 2025. The government argues that the process is in conformity with the Supreme Court’s directives on fixed tenure for DGPs. According to the state’s interpretation, once appointed, a DGP is entitled to a two-year tenure, regardless of the date of superannuation.
The Centre, however, has categorically rejected this interpretation. It maintains that the extension contravenes established service rules, and insists Gupta’s continued presence in the post has no legal standing. The Ministry has described his tenure as “unconstitutional” in all three communications sent to the state.
While the state government holds that its action is legally sound and compliant with judicial guidelines, the Centre has stood its ground—setting the stage for a serious constitutional and administrative confrontation between the two governments.
The Punjab government on Tuesday (27.05.2025) issued transfer and posting orders for five officers as part of a minor administrative reshuffle. The list includes two Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers, one Indian Forest Service (IFoS) officer, and two Punjab Civil Service (PCS) officers.
The names of the officers and their postings are as follows;
Mohammad Tayyab (IAS:2007:PB), Administrative Secretary, Horticulture with additional charge of the posts of Administrative Secretary, Soil & Water Conservation and Director, Treasury and Accounts, has been transferred and posted as MD, Punjab Infrastructure Development Board.
Moneesh Kumar (IAS:2014:PB), Director, Technical Education & Industrial Training, has been transferred and posted as Special Secretary, Technical Education & Industrial Training.
Manish Kumar (IFS:2006:PB), Director, Environment & Climate Change, has been transferred and posted as Special Secretary in the Department of Science, Technology & Environment.
Sanjeev Sharma (PCS:2012), Joint Secretary, School Education, has been transferred and posted as Joint Secretary, Higher Education & Languages.
Gurinder Singh Sodhi (PCS:2016), Director, School Education (Secondary), has been transferred and posted as Secretary, Punjab School Education Board, SAS Nagar.
State-owned Hindustan Copper Ltd on Tuesday (27.05.2025) reported a 51.8% year-on-year increase in its consolidated net profit, which stood at Rs 189.48 crore for the quarter ended March 31, 2025. This marks a significant rise from Rs 124.75 crore reported in the corresponding quarter last year.
The company’s consolidated income for the January–March quarter rose to Rs 777.28 crore, compared to Rs 585.22 crore during the same period a year ago. Meanwhile, total expenses increased to Rs 518.75 crore from Rs 401.49 crore in the previous year.
Hindustan Copper, a Mini-Ratna Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the administrative control of the Ministry of Mines, is the only vertically integrated copper producer in the country with all operating mining leases for copper ore.
The Board of Directors has also recommended a final dividend of Rs 1.46 per equity share (of ₹5 face value) for the financial year 2024–25. The dividend is subject to approval by shareholders at the upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM). The exact payment date will be announced after the AGM.
Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, announced a 38% year-on-year rise in net profit to Rs 19,013 crore for the January–March quarter of FY24-25, compared to Rs 13,763 crore in the same period last year.
However, the insurance major saw a 3% decline in net premium income to Rs 1,47,586 crore, down from Rs 1,52,293 crore in Q4 of FY23-24.
LIC’s market share in the insurance industry stood at 57.05% as of May 27, 2025, the company said in its exchange filing. Gross non-performing assets (NPAs) fell to 1.46% from 2.01% a year ago.
The board recommended a final dividend of Rs 12 per share for FY24-25, subject to approval at the upcoming AGM. The record date for dividend entitlement has been fixed for July 25, 2025.
The Jharkhand government on Tuesday (27.06.2025) carried out a major reshuffle in the police administration, transferring 48 IPS officers, including the appointment of new Superintendents of Police in 16 districts.
The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) on Tuesday (May 27, 2025) kickstarted the selection process for the post of Managing Director at Hindustan Steelworks Construction Limited (HSCL) by inviting applications through an official advertisement.
As per the notification, eligible and experienced candidates can apply until June 23, 2025. Applicants should have a minimum of five years of cumulative experience in the last ten years in one or more of the following areas: Finance, Business Development, Production, Operations, Marketing, or Project Management in a reputed large organization. Additionally, experience in civil engineering contracts, construction, or technical consultancy services is desirable.
Currently, Tadi Lakshmi Narayan Reddy is serving as the Managing Director of HSCL. He was appointed in January 2021, and his five-year term is set to end on January 31, 2026.
Prerna Joshi (IES:2012), who was recommended for central deputation by the Department of Economic Affairs, has been selected for appointment as Deputy Secretary in the Central Information Commission (CIC) for four years. According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Tuesday (27.05.2025), the competent authority has approved the appointment of Ms Joshi to the post under the Central Staffing Scheme for a period of four years from the date of taking over charge of the post or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
IAS officer Hari Narayanan Murugan (IAS:2011:AP) has been appointed as Director in the Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation for five years. According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Tuesday (27.05.2025), the competent authority has approved the appointment of Mr Murugan to the post under the Central Staffing Scheme for a period of five years from the date of taking over charge of the post or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
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