MP Tangirala (IP&TA&FS:1990), currently serving as Additional Secretary in the Department of Financial Services (DFS), has been repatriated to his parent cadre. According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Thursday (20.02.2025), the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the repatriation of Mr. Tangirala to his parent cadre with immediate effect.
CBIC: Senior IRS-C&IT officers shifted
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) on Thursday (20.02.2025) issued transfer and posting orders for officers in the ranks of Principal Chief Commissioner, Principal Director General, Chief Commissioner, and Director General of Customs and Indirect Taxes.
Jharkhand: IAS Pooja Singhal’s appointment triggers debate amid ED’s concerns
The appointment of IAS officer Pooja Singhal, who is out on bail in a money laundering case linked to the MGNREGA scam, as Secretary of the IT Department and CEO of Jharkhand Communication Network Ltd. has sparked a controversy in the state.
Despite legal objections from the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which had filed an application in the Special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) Court requesting that she not be assigned to any department, the state government proceeded with her appointment.
The ED expressed concerns that if Singhal were given an official position, she might misuse her authority and influence the ongoing case.
A 2000-batch IAS officer, Singhal was arrested for allegedly embezzling crores of MGNREGA funds in Khunti. After spending 28 months in jail, she was granted bail by a special PMLA Court in Ranchi on December 7, 2024.
Following her release, the state government revoked her suspension and reinstated her with effect from the same date. The special PMLA Court has reserved its order after hearing arguments from both sides on Monday, with the next hearing scheduled for February 27.
The BJP has questioned Pooja Singhal’s appointment despite ED’s objections. Veteran BJP MLA and former minister CP Singh criticized the move, alleging that those accused of looting the state exchequer are being given key positions again.
The JMM countered, arguing that Singhal is only an accused, not a convict, and accused the BJP of politicizing the issue. JMM spokesperson Manoj Pandey stated that there is no restriction from the PMLA court on her posting.
Pandey also pointed out that during the BJP’s tenure, IAS officers facing inquiries, such as Sajal Chakravarty and Pradeep Kumar, were given significant roles.
Also Read: Controversial J’khand IAS officer Pooja Singhal back in action
AGMUT cadre IPS officers promoted to DGP rank
In a significant move, the Government of India has promoted three senior IPS officers to the rank of Director General of Police (DGP) in the AGMUT cadre (Level-16 In The Pay Matrix).
The names of the officers are;
- Garima Bhatnagar (IPS:1994:AGMUT)
- Anand Mohan (IPS:1994:AGMUT)
- Ravindra Singh Yadav (IPS:1995:AGMUT)
Additionally, two more IPS officers of 1994 batch have been given proforma promotion in the DGP Grade.
The names of the officers are;
- Anurag Kumar (IPS:1994:AGMUT)
- Abdul Ghani Mir (IPS:1994:AGMUT)
Haryana: Anurag Rastogi appointed new Chief Secretary
Senior IAS officer Anurag Rastogi (IAS:1990:HY) was appointed as the Chief Secretary of Haryana late Wednesday night. He succeeded Vivek Joshi (IAS:1989:HY), who assumed charge as an Election Commissioner earlier the same day in the morning.
According to an official order, he is posted as Chief Secretary, General Administration Department, Human Resources, Personnel & Training, Parliamentary Affairs, Vigilance Department and Secretary In-charge of Plan Coordination.
In a separate order, he has been given additional charge of Additional Chief Secretary of Finance and Planning Department.
Before this appointment, Rastogi served as the Additional Chief Secretary and Financial Commissioner, Revenue & Disaster Management & Consolidation Department and Additional Chief Secretary, Finance and Planning Department.
Notably, Haryana got a new Chief Secretary in a span of three months.
Vivek Joshi had been serving as Chief Secretary since November 1, 2024, following the retirement of TVSN Prasad (IAS:1988:HY). He was repatriated to Haryana on October 26, 2024, at the request of the state government, and subsequently appointed to the post.
Prior to his repatriation, Joshi held the post of Secretary, Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) at the central level.
Also Read: Gyanesh Kumar assumes charge as CEC, Vivek Joshi joins as EC
Also Read: Haryana: Five IAS officers in contention for CS post, Anurag Rastogi is frontrunner
Also Read: Haryana: 1990-batch IAS seniority dispute likely to be resolved before CS appointment
REC foundation commits Rs 6 Crore to Sankara Eye Hospital for cataract surgeries
REC Limited, through its CSR arm, REC Foundation, has signed a Memorandum of Association (MoA) with Sankara Eye Hospital, Pammal, Chennai wherein REC committed Rs 6 Crore for the project ‘Eye Care for All’ – an initiative to provide support to 8,000 beneficiaries for cataract surgery.
The MoA was formalized on February 17, 2025, between Smt. Thara Ramesh, Chief Program Manager (CPM), REC Regional Office Chennai, and Wg Cdr V. Shankar (Retd), Trustee, Sankara Eye Hospital, in the presence of Shri Narayanan Thirupathy, Director (Independent), REC Limited, along with other officials from REC’s Regional Office in Chennai and Sankara Eye Hospital.
This initiative aims to restore vision and enhance the quality of life for 8,000 economically disadvantaged individuals in and around Chennai. Through this collaboration, patients will receive free-of-cost cataract surgeries, ensuring vital eye care services for those in need.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Narayanan Thirupathy, Director (Independent), REC Limited, said, “REC Foundation is committed to empowering communities through impactful CSR initiatives. Our partnership with Sankara Eye Hospital is a significant step towards eliminating avoidable blindness and improving lives.”
NTPC Ltd. pays Second Interim Dividend of Rs. 2,424 crore for FY 2024-25
NTPC Ltd. paid the Second Interim dividend of Rs. 2,424 crore on 18th February 2025, being 25% of the paid-up equity share capital of the Company.
This is in addition to the First Interim dividend of Rs. 2,424 crore paid in November 2024.
The total dividend paid during the financial year 2024-25 is Rs. 8,000 crore, which includes Final Dividend for the financial year 2023-24 of Rs 3,152 crore paid in September 2024.
This is the 32nd consecutive year that NTPC Ltd. has paid dividend.
NTPC Ltd. is India’s largest integrated power utility, contributing one-fourth of the India’s power requirements and has an installed capacity of over 77 GW, with an additional capacity of 29.5 GW under construction, including 9.6 GW of renewable energy capacity. The company is committed to achieving 60 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2032.
With a diverse portfolio of thermal, hydro, solar, and wind power plants, NTPC is dedicated to delivering reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity to the nation. The company is committed to adopting best practices, fostering innovation, and embracing clean energy technologies for a greener future.
Along with power generation, NTPC has ventured into various new business areas, including e-mobility, battery storage, pumped hydro storage, waste-to-energy, nuclear power, and green hydrogen solutions.
Rajasthan: IPS officer demoted; pay scale downgraded for 3 years
The Rajasthan government has demoted IPS officer Pankaj Choudhary (IPS:2009:RJ) for three years following an inquiry into allegations that he solemnized his second marriage without ending his first. This marks the first time an IPS officer in the state has faced such action.
According to an order issued on February 12 by the Department of Personnel, Choudhary has been demoted from Senior Pay Scale (Level 11 in Pay Matrix) to Junior Pay Scale (Level 10) for a period of three years, effective from December 18, 2024.
The investigation wing of the Department of Personnel recommended his demotion after conducting an inquiry on December 18, 2024.
Choudhary was previously dismissed from service in March 2019 for “grave personal misconduct” related to the same allegations. However, he was reinstated in May 2021 after receiving favorable orders from the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), the Delhi High Court, and the Supreme Court.
He is currently serving as Superintendent of Police, Community Policing, at the Police Headquarters in Jaipur.
Dr Pawan Kotwal becomes first Chief Secretary of Ladakh
In a significant administrative development, the Union Territory of Ladakh has appointed its first Chief Secretary following the re-designation of the post of Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor. Dr. Pawan Kotwal (IAS:1994:AGMUT) will now assume the role of Chief Secretary of Ladakh, with no change in his existing duties and responsibilities.
The decision was formalized through an Office Memorandum issued by the General Administration Department of Ladakh, in accordance with a notification dated January 3, 2025, from the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Government of India. The move has been approved by the Competent Authority in the Ministry of Home Affairs. All official correspondence that was previously addressed to the Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor will now be directed to the Chief Secretary of Ladakh.
A highly respected civil servant, Kotwal was born in Jammu & Kashmir in 1965 and holds an MBBS degree. Over the course of his career, he has held several key positions across J&K and Ladakh, including Divisional Commissioner of Jammu, Deputy Commissioner in multiple districts of J&K, and Principal Secretary in several departments. He has also served as Financial Commissioner in the Revenue Department, Inspector General of Registration, and Secretary to the Chief Minister of J&K.
UP: Alok Kumar is the new Chairman of YEIDA
The Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday appointed senior IAS officer Alok Kumar as the new Chairman of the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA).
Alok Kumar, a 1993 batch IAS officer of the UP cadre, is known for his sincerity and integrity.
Currently, he is serving as the Principal Secretary, MSME & Export Promotion, as well as Principal Secretary, Infrastructure & Industrial Development & NRI Department.
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