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ACC approves major reshuffle: 14 officers appointed as Secretaries

By
LO Bureau
-

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) on Friday (August 21, 2025) cleared a major reshuffle at the Secretary level, appointing 13 senior IAS officers and one IPoS officer to key positions across various ministries and departments.

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

  1. Alka Upadhyaya (IAS:1990:MP), Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, has been appointed as Secretary, National Commission for Minorities.
  2. Rajit Punhani (IAS:1991:BH), Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, has been posted as Chief Executive Officer, Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
  3. Debashree Mukherjee (IAS:1991:AGMUT), Secretary, Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, has been appointed as Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship.
  4. Vijay Kumar (IAS:1992:AGMUT), Chairman, Inland Waterways Authority of India, will take charge as Officer on Special Duty, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. He will succeed TK Ramachandran (IAS: 1991:TN) upon his retirement on September 30, 2025.
  5. VL Kantha Rao (IAS:1992:MP), Secretary, Ministry of Mines, has been posted as Secretary, Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation.
  6. Sukriti Likhi (IAS:1993:HY), Chairperson, National Authority Chemical Weapons Convention, has been appointed as Officer on Special Duty, Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Ministry of Defence. She will take over as Secretary after Niten Chandra (IAS:1990:OR) retires on October 31, 2025.
  7. Ranjana Chopra (IAS:1994:OR), Special Secretary & Financial Adviser, Ministry of Culture, has been appointed as Officer on Special Duty, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, and will assume charge as Secretary after Vibhu Nayar (IAS:1990:TN) retires on October 31, 2025.
  8. Naresh Pal Gangwar (IAS:1994:RJ), Additional Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, has been posted as Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying.
  9. Niraj Verma (IAS:1994:AM), Administrator, Universal Service Obligation Fund, Department of Telecommunications, has been appointed as Officer on Special Duty, Department of Justice, Ministry of Law & Justice. He will take over as Secretary after Raj Kumar Goyal (IAS:1990:AGMUT) retires on August 31, 2025.
  10. Atish Chandra (IAS:1994:BH), Additional Secretary, PMO, has been elevated as Special Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office, with the rank and pay of Secretary.
  11. Piyush Goyal (IAS:1994:NL), CEO, NATGRID, MHA, has been appointed as Secretary, Ministry of Mines.
  12. Sanjay Garg (IAS:1994:KL), Additional Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research & Education and and Secretary, Indian Council of Agriculture Research, has been appointed as Officer on Special Duty, Bureau of Indian Standards, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, in the rank and pay of Secretary. He will take over as Director General of Bureau of Indian Standards from Pramod Kumar Tiwari (IAS:1991:AM) on October 31, 2025.
  13. Roli Singh (IAS:1994:RJ), Additional Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, has been appointed as Chairperson, National Authority Chemical Weapons Convention, in the rank and pay of Secretary, succeeding Sukriti Likhi (IAS:1993:HY).
  14. Trishaljit Sethi (IPoS:1990), Director General (Training), Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, has been elevated as Secretary, Central Vigilance Commission, by upgrading the post to Secretary level.

Women Officers Lead Key Departments in South Central Railway for First Time

By
LO Bureau
-

For the first time in its history, the South Central Railway (SCR) has placed five of its most crucial departments — Operations, Commercial, Finance, Security, and Medical — under the leadership of women officers. These departments, known for their demanding responsibilities, are central to ensuring passenger safety, efficient train services, financial discipline, and healthcare support.

Heading Operations is K Padmaja (IRTS:1991), Principal Chief Operations Manager, who oversees freight movement, train scheduling, and punctuality.

The Commercial department is led by Ity Pandey (IRTS:1998), Principal Chief Commercial Manager, who assumed charge on August 2, 2025. She handles freight and passenger revenue and business development. Pandey, an award-winning officer and author of Riding the Freight Train, was recognized among India’s leading bureaucrat changemakers in 2024, and in 2023 became the only woman civil servant to complete the 88-km Comrades Marathon in South Africa.

In Security, Aroma Singh Thakur (RPF:1993), IG-cum-Principal Chief Security Commissioner, spearheads projects such as Operation Yatri Suraksha and Meri Saheli, ensuring passenger protection.

The Medical wing is managed by Dr. Nirmala Narasimhan (IRHS:1989), Principal Chief Medical Director, who supervises healthcare delivery across 40 health units and eight major hospitals in the zone.

On the Finance front, T Hema Suneetha (IRAS:1993), Principal Financial Advisor, is responsible for revenue generation and financial management.

These appointments mark a historic milestone for SCR, reflecting the growing leadership role of women in Indian Railways and their ability to take charge of departments that are vital for smooth train operations, financial stability, passenger safety, and employee welfare.

Also Read: Maharashtra Makes History: Women Lead Top Bureaucratic Positions

PESB invites applications for Director (Finance), DFCCIL

By
LO Bureau
-

The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) has invited applications for the post of Director (Finance), Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL). The notification was issued on Thursday (August 21, 2025), with September 17, 2025, set as the last date for submission of applications.

The post has been vacant since February 1, 2025, following the completion of a five-year tenure of Hira Ballabh (IRAS:1992), who retired on January 31, 2025. At present, Rahul Kapoor is holding additional charge of the post.

The vacancy is open to eligible candidates from both the public and private sectors, who can apply through the PESB portal.

Not every violation of court order warrants contempt proceedings: Delhi HC in Sanjiv Chaturvedi Case

By
LO Bureau
-

In a significant decision, the Delhi High Court held that, particularly when there isn’t a clearly defined contemptor, breaking every court order does not always necessitate the start of contempt proceedings.

The ruling, delivered on August 12, 2025, by a bench of Justices Anil Kshetrapal and Harish Vaidyanathan, came in response to a contempt plea filed by Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Sanjiv Chaturvedi. He had alleged that the Intelligence Bureau (IB) failed to submit a report assessing threats to his life despite multiple court directions.

The bench stated that the initiation of contempt proceedings is a serious matter and should not be used routinely. Contempt does not always result from disobeying every instruction given by the court. It clarified that contempt proceedings cannot move forward without naming the contemnor, emphasising that contempt cannot be directed against a “nameless office.”

The dispute began in May 2014 when the Director of IB was asked by the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to evaluate the risks to Chaturvedi’s life. When he later sought access to this report under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, the ministry rejected his request. In April 2016, the Central Information Commission (CIC) ordered the IB’s CPIO to submit a copy of the report. The IB challenged this before Delhi High Court, but its appeal was dismissed in August 2017. The agency later moved a division bench in October 2017, where the matter remains pending.

In his contempt plea, Chaturvedi claimed that the IB had wilfully and repeatedly disregarded division bench orders dated July 27, 2023, and August 21, 2024, directing it to submit pertinent records in court. According to him the CPIO neglected to turn in the paperwork, which is why he filed a contempt plea.

While dismissing the contempt plea, the High Court bench made it clear that the division bench considering the appeal has complete jurisdiction to order the disclosure of documents, and that contempt should not be used as a substitute for regular legal remedies. The court also noted that it was difficult to assign liability since no specific contemnor had been identified and the IB does not maintain a publicly accessible website with designated officials. This issue of opacity has been repeatedly flagged in RTI-related disputes.

Wilful disregard for any court order is considered civil contempt under Section 2(b) of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, and may result in punishment if proven. The primary appeal will be heard by the division bench of the court on September 10, 2025. The hearing’s conclusion might ultimately determine whether Chaturvedi needs to see the IB report and potentially establish more guidelines for intelligence agencies’ RTI-mandated transparency.

Satish Golcha appointed as new Delhi Police Commissioner

By
LO Bureau
-

In a significant development, senior IPS officer Satish Golcha (IPS:1992:AGMUT) was on Thursday appointed as the new Commissioner of Delhi Police. He replaces SBK Singh (IPS:1988:AGMUT), Director General of Home Guards, who was serving as acting commissioner after the retirement of Sanjay Arora (IPS:1988:TN) on July 31.

Golcha, currently posted as Director General (Prisons), Delhi, will assume charge with immediate effect. An order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs stated: “With the approval of the Competent Authority, Sh. Satish Golcha, IPS (AGMUT:1992), presently posted as Director General (Prisons), Delhi, is hereby appointed to the post of the Commissioner of Police, Delhi with effect from the date of assumption of charge and until further orders.”

A 1992-batch IPS officer of the AGMUT cadre, Golcha has previously served as Deputy Commissioner, Joint Commissioner, and Special Commissioner in Delhi Police. He rose to prominence as Special Commissioner of Police (Law & Order) during the northeast Delhi riots in 2020.

Beyond Delhi, he served as the Director General of Police (DGP) of Arunachal Pradesh from February 2022 to June 2023 before being transferred back to the national capital. In May 2024, he was appointed Director General (Prisons), heading Tihar Jail, on the recommendation of the Police Establishment Board and approval of Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena.

Also Read: SBK Singh assigned additional charge as Delhi Police Commissioner

IPS Guguloth Amrutha transferred amid central deputation order

By
LO Bureau
-

A curious case has emerged in Delhi Police following the transfer of 12 IPS and 6 DANIPS officers on Wednesday (August 20, 2025). Among them, Guguloth Amrutha (IPS:2011:AGMUT) has been shifted from Additional Commissioner of Police, Economic Offences Wing (EOW), to Additional CP, Vigilance.

What makes the development unusual is that just two days earlier, on August 18, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued her central deputation order. She had been appointed as Deputy Director/DIG in the Bureau of Police Research & Development (BPR&D). The MHA had also directed that she be relieved at the earliest to enable her to take up the new assignment.

Typically, officers posted on central deputation proceed to their new roles after wrapping up key assignments in the cadre. In Amrutha’s case, however, she has now been transferred within Delhi Police, which means she may have to assume her Vigilance posting only for a brief period before moving to her central deputation role.

IPS Mohit Chawla appointed as DIG in ITBP

By
LO Bureau
-

IPS officer Mohit Chawla (IPS:2010:HP) has been appointed as Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). According to an order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Monday (August 18, 2025), the competent authority has approved his appointment against an existing vacancy under the standard terms and conditions of central deputation.

The MHA has further directed the concerned authorities to relieve him immediately so that he may join his new assignment at ITBP without delay.

IPS Guguloth Amrutha appointed Deputy Director/DIG in BPR&D

By
LO Bureau
-

IPS officer Guguloth Amrutha (IPS:2011:AGMUT) has been appointed as Deputy Director/DIG in the Bureau of Police Research & Development (BPR&D). According to an order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Monday (August 18, 2025), the competent authority has approved her appointment against an existing vacancy under the standard terms and conditions of central deputation.

The MHA has directed the concerned authorities to relieve her immediately, enabling her to join her new assignment at BPR&D without delay.

Haryana govt transfers 4 IAS officers, all appointed as DCs

By
LO Bureau
-
Haryana Map

In a major bureaucratic reshuffle, the Haryana government on Tuesday (August 19, 2025) issued transfer and posting orders for four IAS officers. Significantly, three of them have been appointed as Deputy Commissioners, while one existing Deputy Commissioner has been shifted to another district in the same capacity.

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

  1. Manoj Kumar-I (IAS:2012:HY), Managing Director, Haryana Skill Development Mission and Director, Skill Development & Industrial Training and Special Secretary, Skill Development & Industrial Training Department, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Mahendragarh at Narnaul.
  2. Vishram Kumar Meena (IAS:2017:HY), Deputy Commissioner, Nuh and CEO, Mewat Development Agency, Nuh, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Kurukshetra.
  3. Sachin Gupta (IAS:2018:HY), Administrator, HSVP, Panchkula and Additional Director, Urban Estate, Panchkula, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Rohtak.
  4. Akhil Pilani (IAS:2018:HY), District Municipal Commissioner, Yamunanagar and Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Yamunanagar, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Nuh and CEO, Mewat Development Agency, Nuh.

PESB picks Commodore Sujay Kapoor for BDL Director (Production)

By
LO Bureau
-

The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) has selected Commodore Sujay Kapoor for appointment as Director (Production), Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), in a meeting held on August 20, 2025. He is currently serving as Commodore (Armament Production & Indigenisation), Navy.

His appointment is now subject to the approval of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) and the completion of vigilance clearances. If cleared, he will succeed PV Raja Ram, who has been serving as Director (Production) since September 1, 2023.

A total of 8 candidates were interviewed for the post, including:

  1. Muppidi Vinod Kumar, General Manager (New Projects and Design & Engineering), Bharat Dynamics Limited
  2. Vijaykumar Gedda, Additional General Manager (Strl Assy) LCA, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
  3. Commodore Neeraj Uday, General Manager (HSS & SED), Electronics Corporation Of India Limited
  4. D Seemaduravasini, Additional General Manager, Electronics Corporation Of India Limited
  5. Rajesh Debnath, Commodore Director, Defence Research And Development (D/O)
  6. Commodore Pratap Kishore, Additional Principal Director, Strategic System Quality Assurance Group, Navy
  7. Commodore Sujay Kapoor, Commodore (Armament Production & Indigenisation), Navy
  8. Commodore GopalaKrishnan Barathan, Air Commodore Team Director, Air Force Project Management
    Team (LRDE), Air Force.
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