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Centre to Himachal HC: CS Prabodh Saxena’s extension capped at six months

By
LO Bureau
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Himachal Pradesh

The Union government has clarified before the Himachal Pradesh High Court that the service extension of a government officer cannot exceed six months under the rules. Additional Solicitor General (ASG) S D Sanjay submitted that no further extension is permissible beyond this cap.

The submission came before a division bench of Chief Justice G S Sandhawalia and Justice Ranjan Sharma, which is hearing a challenge to the March 28 order granting Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena (IAS:1990:HP) a six-month extension. The court will next hear the matter on September 22.

The PIL, filed by Atul Sharma, seeks quashing of the extension on the ground that vigilance clearance cannot be issued to an officer facing a corruption case under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Saxena has been chargesheeted in the INX Media scam and previously secured exemption from personal appearance.

Saxena, who was due to retire on March 31, was granted a six-month extension just three days earlier. His tenure now runs until September 30, 2025.

Appearing for the Centre, ASG Sanjay told the bench that CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu had requested a one-year extension, citing Saxena’s role in executing major public-interest projects. However, the competent authority sanctioned only six months under Rule 16(1) of the All India Services (Death-cum-Retirement Benefit) Rules, 1958.

During an earlier hearing on August 13, the High Court had summoned the full records relating to the extension from both the Centre and the State. These documents were produced on September 4 in a sealed cover and are currently retained by the court.

Also Read: Himachal Pradesh: CS Prabodh Saxena gets six months extension

Haryana govt reshuffles 21 IAS, IRS and HCS officers

By
LO Bureau
-
Haryana Map

The Haryana government on Saturday (September 6, 2025) issued a major reshuffle, transferring and assigning new charges to 21 IAS, IRS and HCS officers.

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

  1. Sudhir Rajpal (IAS:1990:HY), Additional Chief Secretary, Health & Family Welfare Department; Medical Education & Research Department; Ayush Department; and Women & Child Development Department, has been given additional charge of Additional Chief Secretary, Environment, Forests & Wildlife Department. He has been relieved from the charge of Women & Child Development.
  2. Dr Raja Sekhar Vundru (IAS:1990:HY), Additional Chief Secretary, Fisheries Department, has been given additional charge of Transport Department. He replaces TL Satyaprakash (IAS:2002:HY).
  3. G Anupama (IAS:1991:HY), Additional Chief Secretary, Social Justice, Empowerment, Welfare of Scheduled Castes & Backward Classes and Antyodaya (SEWA), has been given additional charge of Citizen Resources and Information Department. She replaces Vikas Gupta (IAS:2001:HY).
  4. TL Satyaprakash (IAS:2002:HY), Commissioner & Secretary, Mines & Geology Department and Transport Department, has been posted as Commissioner & Secretary, Mines & Geology Department and Women & Child Development Department. He is relieved from Transport Department.
  5. Phool Chand Meena (IAS:2004:HY), Commissioner, Rohtak Division, has been posted as Commissioner & Secretary, Human Resources Department. He replaces C.G. Rajini Kaanthan (IAS:2004:HY).
  6. Rajiv Rattan (IAS:2008:HY), Director General, Science & Technology, and Commissioner, Karnal Division, has been given additional charge of Commissioner, Rohtak Division, replacing Phool Chand Meena (IAS:2004:HY).
  7. Yash Garg (IAS:2009:HY), Managing Director, Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation and Managing Director, Haryana Financial Corporation, has been posted as Director General, Industries & Commerce; Secretary, Industries & Commerce Department; and Director General, Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, in addition to his present charges.
  8. Vivek Aggarwal (IRS-IT:2004), Director General, Elementary Education, and Secretary, School Education Department, has been given additional charge of Director General, Skill Development & Industrial Training; and Secretary, Skill Development & Industrial Training Department.
  9. Dharmender Singh (IAS:2012:HY), Special Secretary, Cooperation Department, has been posted as Administrator (HQ), HSVP, Panchkula, in addition to his present duties. He replaces Satpal Sharma (IAS:2017:HY).
  10. Mandeep Kaur (IAS:2013:HY), Deputy Commissioner, Fatehabad, has been posted as Director, Human Resources, and Special Secretary, Human Resources Department. She replaces Vinay Pratap Singh (IAS:2011:HY).
  11. Munish Sharma (IAS:2014:HY), Deputy Commissioner, Charkhi Dadri, has been posted as Secretary, Haryana Board of School Education, Bhiwani, replacing Munish Nagpal (IAS:2016:HY).
  12. Monika Gupta (IAS:2014:HY), Deputy Commissioner, Panchkula and Chief Administrator, Shri Mata Mansa Devi Shrine Board, Panchkula, has been posted as Administrator, HSVP, Panchkula and Additional Director, Urban Estate, Panchkula.
  13. Prashant Panwar (IAS:2015:HY), Director and Special Secretary, Social Justice & Empowerment, SC/BC & Antyodaya (SEWA), has been given additional charge of Chief Executive Officer, Haryana Parivar Pehchan Authority.
  14. Dr Munish Nagpal (IAS:2016:HY), Additional Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Citizen Resources Information Officer, Bhiwani ; Secretary, Haryana Board of School Education, Bhiwani, and Additional Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Citizen Resources Information Officer, Charkhi Dadri, has been posted as Deputy Commissioner, Charkhi Dadri, replacing Munish Sharma (IAS:2014:HY).
  15. Dr Vivek Bharti (IAS:2016:HY) (awaiting posting) has been appointed as Deputy Commissioner, Fatehabad, replacing Mandeep Kaur (IAS:2013:HY).
  16. Mahender Pal (IAS:2017:HY), Special Secretary, Industries & Commerce Department; Additional Director, Mines & Geology Department; Secretary, Haryana State Commission for Scheduled Castes and Additional Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Citizen Resources Information Officer, Ambala and Special Officer, APZ, Ambala, has been given charge of Registrar, Cooperative Societies. He has been relieved from the charge of Additional Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Citizen Resources Information Officer, Ambala and Special Officer, APZ, Ambala.
  17. Satpal Sharma (IAS:2017:HY), Administrator (HQ), HSVP, Panchkula, has been posted as Deputy Commissioner, Panchkula and Chief Administrator, Shri Mata Mansa Devi Shrine Board, Panchkula, replacing Monika Gupta (IAS:2014:HY).
  18. Sushil Kumar-I (IAS:2017:HY), Additional Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Citizen Resources Information Officer, Mahendragarh, has been posted as Administrator, HSVP, Hisar, and Additional Director, Urban Estate, Hisar, replacing Anish Yadav (IAS:2014:HY).
  19. Mahabir Parsad (IAS), Additional Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Citizen Resources Information Officer, Kurukshetra, has been posted as Commissioner, Municipal Corporation Yamunanagar and District Municipal Commissioner, Yamunanagar.
  20. Deepak Babulal Karwa (IAS:2020:HY), Additional Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Citizen Resources Information Officer, Kaithal, has been posted as Additional Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Citizen Resources Information Officer, Bhiwani, and Charkhi Dadri, replacing Munish Nagpal (IAS:2016:HY).
  21. Kapil Kumar (HCS:2019), Deputy Secretary, Monitoring & Coordination and Special Officer (Sanitation), Kurukshetra, has been posted as District Municipal Commissioner, Kaithal, replacing Deepak Babulal Karwa (IAS:2020:HY).

ACC curtails Richa Pandey’s tenure as NPPA Director

By
LO Bureau
-

In a key development, the tenure of Richa Pandey (ICAS:2011) as Director in the National Pharmaceuticals Pricing Authority (NPPA) has been curtailed. According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Saturday (September 6, 2025), the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) cleared the proposal of the Department of Pharmaceuticals to end her tenure under the Central Staffing Scheme.

Richa Pandey was appointed as Deputy Secretary in NPPA in May 2022 for a four-year term. She was elevated as Director and her tenure was scheduled to run until 2026. However, the latest order has brought her stint to an early close.

Stefi Sofi gets extension as Deputy Secretary, National Recruitment Agency

By
LO Bureau
-
National Recruitment Agency

The central deputation tenure of Stefi Sofi (IA&AS:2013), serving as Deputy Secretary in the National Recruitment Agency (NRA), has been extended.

According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Saturday (September 7, 2025), the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) cleared the extension of Ms. Sofi’s deputation beyond March 30, 2026, up to September 30, 2027, or until she completes her Master’s programme in International Studies, Economics, Laws, and Political Science at Kobe University, Japan — whichever is earlier.

She began her central deputation on March 31, 2022, as Deputy Secretary in the NRA.

CISF DG race narrows as RS Bhatti nears retirement

By
LO Bureau
-

With CISF Director General RS Bhatti (IPS:1990:BH) set to retire on September 30, 2025, the race for the top post of the Central Industrial Security Force has entered its final stage.

According to sources, the contest is between two senior IPS officers — Piyush Anand (IPS:1991:UP), the Director General of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and Praveer Ranjan (IPS:1993:AGMUT), currently Special DG of CISF.

Bhatti’s appointment order as DG CISF was issued on March 28, 2024, and he formally assumed charge on August 31, 2024.

Anand took over as NDRF chief on April 1, 2024, succeeding Atul Karwal (IPS:1988:GJ). Ranjan, meanwhile, was brought into CISF as Additional DG in February 2024 and was later elevated as Special DG. Before joining CISF, he served as the DGP of UT Chandigarh.

A decision from the Ministry of Home Affairs on Bhatti’s successor is expected shortly, given CISF’s crucial role in safeguarding critical installations, airports, and industrial assets across the country.

CBI Director Praveen Sood hospitalised in Hyderabad after sudden illness

By
LO Bureau
-
Praveen Sood CBI Director

CBI Director Praveen Sood (IPS:1986:KN) was admitted to a private hospital in Hyderabad on Saturday after he developed sudden health complications while returning from a temple visit in Srisailam. Hospital sources confirmed that his condition is now stable.

Sood, who had arrived in Telangana two days ago, visited the Bhramarambika and Mallikarjuna Swamy temples in Srisailam on Friday. On his way back to Hyderabad the following morning, he reportedly fell unwell and was immediately shifted to a hospital in Jubilee Hills.

During his visit, the CBI chief also held internal discussions with agency officials. His trip to the city has drawn attention as it comes in the backdrop of the Telangana government’s recent decision to seek a CBI probe into the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project, a politically sensitive issue in the state.

PIL in Madras HC challenges G Venkatraman’s appointment as Tamil Nadu DGP in-charge

By
LO Bureau
-

A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Madras High Court against the appointment of G Venkatraman (IPS:1994:TN) as Director General of Police/Head of Police Force (DGP/HoPF) in-charge of Tamil Nadu. The petition, filed by former Inspector of Police and Nethaji Makkal Katchi president R Varadaraj, is listed for hearing on September 8 before Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice G. Arul Murugan.

The petitioner alleged that the State government bypassed the Supreme Court’s Prakash Singh guidelines, which require forwarding a list of all eligible DGP-rank officers to the UPSC at least three months before the incumbent’s retirement. Instead, after the retirement of former DGP Shankar Jiwal on August 31, 2025, Venkatraman, who was serving as DGP (Administration), was given ad-hoc charge.

Varadaraj argued that Venkatraman himself had prepared the list of eligible officers but was eventually appointed to the post, raising questions of transparency and fairness. He accused the government of deliberately delaying the process for political reasons, especially with Assembly elections due in 2026.

The PIL seeks to quash the government’s August 31 order, direct the UPSC to prepare a merit-based panel, and ensure that one of the senior-most officers temporarily holds charge until a regular DGP/HoPF is appointed. The petitioner has also sought an interim stay on Venkatraman’s appointment pending disposal of the case.

Also Read: G Venkataraman given charge as Acting DGP of Tamil Nadu

Centre notifies appointment of two Judges to Allahabad High Court

By
LO Bureau
-
IAS Abhishek Prakash

The Union government on Saturday (September 06, 2025) notified the appointment of two Advocates as Judges of the Allahabad High Court.

They are;

  1. Amitabh Kumar Rai
  2. Rajiv Lochan Shukla

The Supreme Court Collegium on March 25, 2025, approved the appointment of 2 Advocates as Judges of the Allahabad High Court and forwarded the recommendations to the President.

Also Read: SC collegium recommends two Advocates as Judges of Allahabad HC

Rohit Rathish appointed next High Commissioner to Seychelles

By
LO Bureau
-

Senior diplomat Rohit Rathish (IFS: 2006) has been appointed as the next High Commissioner of India to the Republic of Seychelles. Presently, he is serving as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and is expected to take up the assignment shortly.

In a statement, the MEA said, “Shri Rohit Rathish (IFS: 2006), presently Joint Secretary in the Ministry, has been appointed as the next High Commissioner of India to the Republic of Seychelles.”

“He is expected to take up the assignment shortly,” the statement added.

Saurabh Shukla gets extension as Director in PMO

By
LO Bureau
-
New PMO near Raisina Hill

In a key development, the central deputation tenure of Saurabh Shukla (IA&AS:2005) as Director in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has been extended for one year. According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Thursday (September 4, 2025), the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved his extension beyond October 19, 2025, up to October 19, 2026, in relaxation of extant guidelines.

Shukla has been serving in the PMO since August 30, 2019, when his appointment order was first issued by the DoPT. His original tenure was till October 19, 2022, but before its completion, he was granted a one-year extension until October 19, 2023. Since then, he has received multiple extensions — with this being his fourth one-year extension.

Prior to joining the PMO, Saurabh Shukla served as Private Secretary to then Finance Minister Arun Jaitley from July, 2017. Following Jaitley’s demise on August 24, 2019, he was shifted to the Prime Minister’s Office as Director, where he continues to play a crucial role.

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