Rakesh Kumar Singh (IDAS:1993), currently serving as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, has received an extension of his central deputation tenure. As per an order released by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Saturday (25.11.2023), the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has granted approval to extend Mr. Singh’s deputation tenure for an additional one year. This extension is effective beyond 08.12.2023 or until further orders, whichever occurs earlier.
SC questions Delhi Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar’s proposed tenure extension
The central government informed the Supreme Court of its intention to extend the tenure of Delhi’s current Chief Secretary, Naresh Kumar (IAS:1987:AGMUT), for a limited period until a new officer is appointed. In response, the bench of the Supreme Court sought clarification from the Solicitor General, who represented the Centre, regarding the legal provisions supporting this decision.
The term of the current Chief Secretary of Delhi is set to conclude on November 30. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, presenting the Centre’s stance before a three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, stated, “Till a new appointment is done, we intend to extend the tenure of the present Chief Secretary.”
Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing the Delhi Government, objected to the singular focus on one officer and questioned why the Centre couldn’t choose from the top five IAS officers in the hierarchy. Singhvi pointed out that the Supreme Court had granted services authority to the Delhi government in its judgment, but the Centre had subsequently introduced an ordinance, nullifying the Delhi Government’s original power to appoint the Chief Secretary.
In response, the bench asked the Solicitor General to provide the legal basis for extending the Chief Secretary’s tenure or make a fresh appointment. The Solicitor General assured the bench that the extension was temporary, and a new appointment would be made. However, the bench questioned the necessity of extending the tenure instead of making a fresh appointment, emphasizing the availability of eligible candidates nationwide.
Also Read: SC intervenes on Delhi CS row: ‘Centre suggests names, Delhi picks one’
The bench instructed the Centre to elucidate the legal provisions justifying the extension by the following Wednesday (November 29). The Solicitor General committed to seeking instructions on the matter.
IAS officer Sunil Kumar Gupta re-employed as Secretary to Vice President Dhankhar
Senior IAS officer Sunil Kumar Gupta (IAS:1987:WB) has been granted re-employment and appointed as the Secretary to the Vice President of India, Mr. Jagdeep Dhankhar. Originally slated to retire on December 31, 2023, Gupta’s tenure has been extended. His re-employment is on a contract basis effective from January 1, 2024, with the rank and pay equivalent to the Secretary to the Government of India, on a co-terminus basis with the Vice President’s tenure.
This marks Gupta’s second term as Secretary to the Vice President of India. His initial appointment to the position took place on August 17, 2022, while he was still serving in his native cadre in West Bengal. Notably, Gupta has been associated with Mr. Dhankhar since the latter’s term as the Governor of West Bengal.
Mr. Jagdeep Dhankhar assumed office as the 14th and current Vice President of India on August 11, 2022. Gupta’s move from West Bengal to the central government was facilitated by the Union government’s directive at that time.
Tamil Nadu: Three IAS officers shifted; P Shankar posted as Spl Secretary, Agriculture-Farmers Welfare Department
In a recent development, the Tamil Nadu government implemented a minor administrative reshuffle by transferring three IAS officers.
They are;
- P Shankar (IAS:2006:TN), Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board, has been transferred and posted as Special Secretary, Agriculture-Farmers Welfare Department.
- Dr. S Prabhakar (IAS:2009:TN), Project Director, Tamil Nadu Road Sector Project II, Chennai, has been transferred and his services are placed at the disposal of Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board for appointment as its Managing Director.
- P Madhusudhan Reddy (IAS:2011:TN), Director of Survey and Settlement, has been given full additional charge of the post of Officer on Special Duty, Makkaludan Mudhalvar Scheme, Mudhalvarin Mugavari Department.
Karnataka: LK Atheeq appointed as ACS to CM
LK Atheeq (IAS:1991:KN), currently serving as the Additional Chief Secretary, Finance to the Government of Karnataka, has been reassigned as the Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister of Karnataka. A recent order, issued on Monday, announced Atheeq’s transfer, replacing Dr. Rajneesh Goel (IAS:1986:KN) in the role of Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister. Meanwhile, Dr. Rajneesh Goel is set to assume the position of Chief Secretary for the state.
In addition to his new responsibilities, Atheeq will continue to hold concurrent charge as the Additional Chief Secretary of the Finance Department until further notice.
IAS Harmit Singh Pahuja gets extension as Deputy Secretary, DoPT
Harmit Singh Pahuja (IAS:2010:MN), currently serving as Deputy Secretary in the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), will continue his central deputation tenure as it has been extended for an additional one year. According to an order issued by the DoPT on Saturday (25.11.2023), the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the proposal from the Administration Division of DoPT to extend Mr. Pahuja’s deputation tenure. The extension is effective beyond the initial expiration date of 17.11.2023, allowing him to serve until 17.11.2024, or until further orders, whichever transpires earlier.
Abhay Sharma prematurely repatriated to parent cadre
Abhay Sharma (IRTS:2012), currently serving as Deputy Secretary in the Department of Health and Family Welfare, has been prematurely repatriated to his parent cadre. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) issued an order on Saturday (25.11.2023), revealing that the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the proposal for Mr. Sharma’s premature repatriation, along with the provision of extended cooling-off.
Prakash Mirani gets extension as Additional CEO of GeM SPV
Prakash Mirani (IRSS:1989), currently serving as the Additional CEO of GeM SPV under the Department of Commerce, will continue his central deputation tenure, according to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Saturday (25.11.2023). The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has granted approval to the Department of Commerce’s proposal for extending Mr. Mirani’s deputation tenure. The extension is effective beyond the initial expiration date of 09.12.2023, allowing him to serve until his superannuation on 31.12.2024, or until further orders, whichever occurs earlier.
Nandan Kumar will continue to hold addl. charge of CEO, PPA Hyderabad
Nandan Kumar (CWES), currently serving as the Chairman of the Krishna River Management Board (KRMD) in Hyderabad, will continue to shoulder the additional responsibility as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Polavaram Project Authority, Hyderabad. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) issued an order on Saturday (25.11.2023), revealing that the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has given its nod to the Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation’s proposal for the extension of entrustment of additional charge to Mr. Kumar. This extension is effective for a period of six months starting from 28.11.2023, or until a regular incumbent is appointed, or until further orders, whichever transpires earlier.
A Asholi Chalai gets extension as Joint Secretary, NCW
A Asholi Chalai (CSS) will continue to serve as Joint Secretary of the National Commission for Women (NCW) as the central deputation tenure has been extended. The Department of Personnel and Training issued an order on Saturday (25.11.2023) announcing the approval by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet to extend Mr. Chalai’s deputation tenure. The extension is granted beyond the initial expiration date of 25.11.2023, allowing him to serve until his superannuation on 28.02.2025, or until further orders, whichever comes earlier.
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