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Madras HC dismisses plea against IAS press spokesperson appointments

By
LO Bureau
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Madras High Court

A public interest lawsuit contesting the recent appointment of four IAS officers as government press spokespersons was dismissed by the Madras High Court on August 7. The IAS officers were designated as the spokespersons for the state government, not the ruling party, according to the bench of Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice Sunder Mohan. The court was not inclined to consider the plea because it also pointed out that no laws had been broken at the time of the appointments. Advocate M Sathya Kumar of Selaiyur in Chennai had submitted the plea, which the court dismissed with costs of Rs. 1 lakh.

The petitioner’s lawyer said during the arguments that the IAS officers should not be exploited for political purposes, even in an indirect way. He said that the appointment had only been made through a press release and that no government order had been issued in the governor’s name authorising the four senior IAS officers to serve as the government’s official spokespersons.

The Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Ministry for Tamil Development, Information, and Publicity, published Press Release No. 1602, which assigned the IAS officers to interact with the media and distribute public information. The officers were J Radhakrishnan (IAS:1992:TN), Gagandeep Singh Bedi (IAS:1993:TN), Dheeraj Kumar (IAS:1993:TN), and P Amudha (IPS:1994:TN).

The plea contested this release. According to the press release, each IAS officer is allocated to a different government department, and the officer is responsible for disseminating all official comments regarding significant accomplishments, plans, and advancements within the department in question.

The court was not convinced to accept Kumar’s argument that it was a political appointment. According to the court, the appointment was made solely for informational purposes and did not violate any laws.

Also Read: PIL filed in Madras HC against appointment of IAS officers as TN govt spokespersons

Also Read: Tamil Nadu appoints four senior IAS officers as official spokespersons

Government may soon name K Moses Chalai as Finance Secretary

By
LO Bureau
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K Moses Chalai (IAS:1990:MN), Secretary of the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE), is tipped to be appointed as India’s next Finance Secretary, with a formal announcement expected soon.

By convention, the senior-most secretary in the Union Finance Ministry is chosen for the top administrative post. Chalai, a 1990-batch IAS officer of the Manipur cadre, currently holds that seniority, making him the leading contender to fill the vacancy created after Ajay Seth (IAS:1987:KN) retired on June 30, 2025.

Chalai assumed charge as DPE Secretary on April 22, 2025. The Finance Ministry comprises six departments — Revenue, Economic Affairs, Expenditure, Financial Services, Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM), and Public Enterprises.

The Finance Secretary serves as the administrative head of the ministry, coordinating inter-departmental policy, overseeing fiscal implementation, and guiding the government’s broader economic strategy.

If appointed, Chalai will make history as the first bureaucrat from the Northeast to hold this crucial position, potentially serving until his scheduled retirement in January 2028. His appointment is also expected to strengthen the Centre’s engagement with the region.

Supreme Court recalls order against Allahabad HC judge

By
LO Bureau
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SC to have more judges

In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court on Friday (August 8, 2025) rescinded its earlier August 4 ruling that had ordered an Allahabad High Court judge to sit with a senior judge and be barred from hearing criminal cases until retirement. After voicing concerns about a ruling by Justice Prashant Kumar that had refused to dismiss a criminal complaint, stating that the existence of a civil remedy for money recovery was insufficient justification for doing so, the bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan issued the directive.

The recall came after Chief Justice of India B R Gavai, who, in the face of intense criticism of the initial order, ordered the bench to reevaluate the restrictions placed on the High Court judge. For new directions, the case was relisted. In a letter to the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court, thirteen High Court judges also urged him to refrain from carrying out the Supreme Court’s previous orders. Justice Pardiwala stated in the new ruling that the judge was not intended to be embarrassed or disparaged.

The bench made it clear that the Supreme Court’s mission was to protect the honour of the judiciary without interfering with the High Court’s administrative authority. It emphasised that rather than existing independently of the legal system, High Courts are an essential part of it. The bench affirmed the Chief Justice’ s jurisdiction over case distribution by declaring: “We hereby delete paragraphs 25 and 26 of our August 4 order and leave it to the Chief Justice of the High Court to take an appropriate view.”

The judges expressed grave concerns about the reasoning behind the initial High Court order, maintaining that it was “perverse” and “illegal” despite rescinding the earlier directives. It stated that such orders cannot be disregarded and erode public trust in the
judiciary.

Mir Mohammed Ali appointed Director in Renewable Energy Ministry

By
LO Bureau
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Mir Mohammed Ali (IAS:2011:KL) has been appointed as Director in the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE), New Delhi, for a period of five years.

According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Thursday (August 7, 2025), the competent authority has approved his central deputation from the date of assuming charge or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

Maya Kumari appointed Deputy Secretary in Defence Ministry

By
LO Bureau
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Military Nursing Service staff

Maya Kumari (CPES:2014), recommended for central deputation by the Ministry of Power, has been appointed as Deputy Secretary in the Department of Defence, New Delhi.

As per an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Thursday (August 7, 2025), her appointment is under the Central Staffing Scheme for a tenure of four years from the date of assuming charge or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

Maya Kumari, a 2014 batch officer of the Central Power Engineering Service (CPES), brings with her valuable technical and administrative expertise, which is expected to contribute to ongoing projects and strategic initiatives within the Defence Ministry.

Sumit Garg appointed Deputy Secretary in Department of Defence

By
LO Bureau
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Department of Defence

Sumit Garg (IRS-C&IT:2015), who was recommended for central deputation by the Department of Revenue, has been appointed as Deputy Secretary in the Department of Defence, New Delhi.

According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Thursday (August 7, 2025), she has been appointed under the Central Staffing Scheme for a period of four years from the date of assumption of charge or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

Tanvi Sundriyal appointed Director in Civil Aviation Ministry

By
LO Bureau
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Tanvi Sundriyal (IAS:2010:MP) has been appointed as Director in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, New Delhi, for a period of five years.

According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Thursday (August 7, 2025), the competent authority has approved her central deputation for five years from the date she assumes charge of the post or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

A 2010 batch IAS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, Ms. Sundriyal brings administrative experience that is expected to aid the Civil Aviation Ministry as it navigates policy reforms and sectoral growth.

Harikumar M appointed Director in Olympics Division, Department of Sports

By
LO Bureau
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Harikumar M (IRTS:2011), who was recommended for central deputation by the Ministry of Railways, has been appointed as Director in the Olympics Division under the Department of Sports, New Delhi.

According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Thursday (August 7, 2025), Harikumar M has been appointed under the Central Staffing Scheme for a tenure of two years from the date he assumes charge. His tenure is extendable as per the admissible norms under the scheme or until further orders, whichever comes earlier.

His posting comes at a crucial time as India ramps up preparations for upcoming international sporting events, with the Olympics Division playing a key role in policy formulation and coordination related to Olympic sports.

Rajasthan CM cracks down on corrupt officials

By
LO Bureau
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Rajasthan's employees' welfare

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma has ordered strict disciplinary and punitive measures against a number of tainted police personnel and officials in a forceful campaign against corruption and administrative negligence.

Following an examination of numerous cases involving misconduct, corruption, and transgressions of service standards, the decisions were taken. A proposal by the Home Department to forcefully retire nine police inspectors whose service records were discovered to be compromised has been authorised by the Chief Minister. A high-level committee carefully examined these officers’ performance, integrity, and annual confidential reports (ACRs) in light of the numerous serious accusations against them before making a final judgment.

Serious errors in land allocation will also result in disciplinary action against a senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer. In accordance with Rule-8 of the All-India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969, the CM has authorised the action. Additionally, six state service officers have been sanctioned for prosecution on corruption charges, allowing the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to move forward with legal action. Additionally, two personnel from the Rajasthan Administrative and Accounts Services have become the subject of thorough investigations sanctioned under Section 17-A of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018.

On the basis of disciplinary considerations, the CM has also directed that 13 officers’ yearly raises be withheld under Rule-16. Pension-related measures were also implemented in situations involving retired cops: one officer who was found guilty of corruption would lose their whole pension, while five officers will have their pensions withheld. Additionally, the Chief Minister upheld the initial punitive decision by rejecting a review appeal submitted by an officer under CCA Rule 34. Two other officers received partial relief, while three cases had appeals under CCA Rule-23 approved. The state government’s resolve to maintain accountability and integrity in the legal and administrative institutions in Rajasthan is demonstrated by this strong and decisive administrative action wave.

Madras HC seeks TN govt’s response on DGP selection process

By
LO Bureau
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In a significant development ahead of the impending retirement of Tamil Nadu’s Director General of Police (DGP) Shankar Jiwal (IPS:1990:TN) on August 31, the Madras High Court has sought a detailed response from the state government regarding the initiation of the DGP appointment process.

A division bench comprising Justice S M Subramaniam and Justice A D Maria Clete directed the state to submit its response concerning the procedures it intends to follow, in line with Supreme Court directions and Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) guidelines for empanelment of eligible IPS officers for the top police post in the state.

The directive came while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by advocate K Yasar Arafath, who alleged that the Tamil Nadu government had failed to initiate the mandatory empanelment process. According to the petitioner, the delay in forwarding a list of eligible IPS officers to the UPSC may jeopardize the timely selection of a regular DGP.

The plea underlined concerns over the potential erosion of police autonomy, stating that a failure to appoint a full-time DGP through proper procedures could undermine the rule of law, affecting both the independence and professionalism of the police force.

The petitioner also urged the court to prevent the Home Secretary from either appointing an acting or in-charge DGP or granting any extension to the incumbent DGP without adhering to the prescribed legal process.

With DGP Shankar Jiwal’s superannuation just weeks away, the court’s intervention has brought the spotlight on the state government’s preparedness and adherence to constitutional norms in high-level police appointments.

Also Read: Will Tamil Nadu get its second woman DGP? All eyes on state govt

Also Read: Uncertainty grows over next Tamil Nadu DGP appointment

Also Read: Tamil Nadu govt to appoint new DGP via UPSC panel


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