Ms. Jacintha Lazarus (IAS:2005:MN) has been appointed as the Executive Director (South) at the Joint Secretary level in the Food Corporation of India (FCI), Chennai. According to an order released by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Monday, November 20, 2023, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has endorsed Ms. Lazarus’s appointment to the position for a cumulative tenure of seven years, effective until November 12, 2027, or until further orders from the date of assuming charge, whichever is earlier. She will succeed R D Nazeem (IAS:1995:HP).
Parama Sen appointed as Additional Secretary, Department of Expenditure
Ms. Parama Sen (IA&AS:1994) has been appointed as Additional Secretary in the Department of Expenditure for an overall tenure of five years until August 2, 2025. As per an order released by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has sanctioned Ms. Sen’s appointment to the position for an overall duration of five years until August 2, 2025, involving the temporary elevation of one Joint Secretary level post of the Department to the Additional Secretary level. Ms. Sen will assume the role, succeeding Ms. Annie George Mathew (IA&AS:1988).
IAS officer Atal Dulloo repatriated to parent cader; likely to be appointed J&K Chief Secretary
The central government on Monday (20.11.2023) repatriated senior IAS officer Atal Dulloo (IAS:1989:AGMUT) to his Union Territories or Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territory cadre. At present, he holds the position of Secretary in the Department of Border Management under the Home Ministry. The repatriation decision was endorsed by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, following an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) based on the Ministry of Home Affairs’ request.
Official sources suggest that Dulloo is likely to be appointed to the position of Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir. The current Chief Secretary, Arun Kumar Mehta (IAS:1988:AGMUT), is scheduled to retire at the end of this month upon reaching the age of 60.
ACC approves appointments of several officers at Joint Secretary/equivalent posts
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) on Monday (20.11.2023) approved the appointments of several officers for Joint Secretary / Joint Secretary equivalent posts.
The names of the officers and their postings are as follows :
- Aswani Srivastava (IRTS:1998) has been appointed as Joint Secretary in the Department of Food & Public Distribution for a period of five years with effect from the date of assumption of charge of the post or until further orders, whichever is earlier. He will replace Nandita Gupta (IAS:2001:HP).
- Hara Prasad Nayak (IRAS:1995) has been appointed as Joint Secretary & Financial Advisor of NATGRID under the Ministry of Home Affairs for a period of five years with effect from the date of assumption of charge of the post or until further orders, whichever is earlier. He replaces Rajiv Sharma (IDAS:1993).
- Amit Katoch (IP&TA&FS:1998) has been appointed as Additional CPFC (HQrs) of Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) under the Ministry of Labour & Employment for a period of five years with effect from the date of assumption of charge of the post or until further orders, whichever is earlier. He will replace Neelam Sanghi (IRAS:1989).
- Pankaj Hazarika (IDAS:2000) has been appointed as Additional Secretary in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) under the Department of Personnel & Training for a period of five years with effect from the date of assumption of charge of the post or until further orders, whichever is earlier. He will replace Puneet Yadav (IAS:1999:WB).
- Palka Sahni (IAS:2004:BH) has been appointed as Joint Secretary in the Department of Pharmaceuticals for an overall tenure of five years up to April 2, 2028, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
- Sandhya Bhullar (IAS:2003:GJ) has been appointed as Joint Secretary in the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). She has been appointed to the post with effect from the date of assumption of charge of the post, for an overall tenure of five years up to March 31, 2024, which is further extendable upto the period spent in NDC course, on availability of cadre clearance or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
- Vinay Kumar (IAS:1999:BH) has been appointed as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH). He has been appointed to the post for a period with effect from the date of assumption of charge of the post, for a tenure of five years or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
- Brijendra Swaroop (IFoS:1996:SK) has been appointed as Executive Director (Projects) of National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) under the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. He has been appointed to the post for a period with effect from the date of assumption of charge of the post, for a tenure upto the date of his superannuation on January 31, 2028, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
- Raj Kumar Mishra (IPoS:1999) has been appointed as Director in the National Water Informatics Centre (NWIC) under the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. He has been appointed to the post for a period with effect from the date of assumption of charge of the post, for a tenure of five years or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
- Shantanu (IAS:1997:TR) has been appointed as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region. He has been appointed to the post for a period with effect from the date of assumption of charge of the post, for an overall tenure of five years upto March 27, 2024, or until further orders, whichever is earlier. He will replace Brijesh Pandey (IAS:2004:TR), who has been prematurely repatriated to his parent cadre.
UPSC Nod: 60 Bihar Administrative Service Officers set for IAS promotion, orders expected in January
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on Friday granted approval for the promotion of 60 officers from the Bihar Administrative Service to the prestigious Indian Administrative Service (IAS). The decision, made during a board meeting of UPSC officials in Patna, marks the clearance of a three-year backlog. Bihar currently has 359 positions for Indian Administrative Service officers.
This historic move signifies the first substantial elevation of Bihar Administrative Service officers to the IAS. The promotions span the years 2020, 2021, and 2022, with 27 officers promoted for 2020, 24 for 2021, and nine for 2022.
This marks the first time that 60 Bihar officers have been promoted to IAS in a single board, a notable increase compared to the total of 26 Bihar Administrative Service officers promoted to IAS in 2018 and 2019.
The official notification for the promotion of these sixty officers to the Indian Administrative Service is expected to be issued in January of the coming year. The proceedings of the board meeting are anticipated to be finalized by December. Subsequently, the Union Public Service Commission will release the formal list containing their names. Once the list is released, the General Administration Department of the State Government will proceed with their formal appointments, designating their initial postings as Special Secretaries.
HP: Govt prepares to replace DGP Sanjay Kundu, SR Ojha could be the new DGP
The Himachal Pradesh government is preparing for a leadership transition, with plans to replace the current Director General of Police (DGP), Sanjay Kundu (IPS:1989:HP). The likely successor is Sanjeev Ratna Ojha (IPS:1989:HP), both of whom belong to the 1989 batch and are scheduled to retire in April 2024 and May 2025, respectively.
The Home Department is reportedly increasing efforts to facilitate the appointment of a new DGP.
It’s noteworthy that another senior IPS officer from the 1988 batch, Tapan Kumar Deka, currently serving as the Director of Intelligence Bureau, may not return to the cadre due to his critical role at the center.
Ojha, who recently completed a five-year deputation, has rejoined the Himachal government but has not yet been assigned responsibilities at the police headquarters. During Kundu’s two-month leave, ADG Vigilance Satvant Atwal (IPS:1996:HP) assumed additional responsibilities as DGP.
In a recent development, the High Court has taken notice of the conflict between DGP Sanjay Kundu and businessman Nishant Sharma. An ongoing investigation is underway regarding this dispute. Simultaneously, the businessman has filed a complaint via email to the Chief Minister, urging the replacement and removal of the Director General of Police. The complaint argues that a fair investigation is challenging as long as the individual holds the position of DGP.
UP: Reshuffle in police administration is expected soon
The issuance of transfer orders for IPS officers by the Uttar Pradesh government is imminent, as the finalized list of officers awaits the Chief Minister’s attention. Delays in the process have been attributed to the Chief Minister’s ongoing commitments, but a prompt release of the list is anticipated once his schedule permits.
Senior IPS officer Tilottama Varma (IPS:1990:UP) is poised to conclude her central deputation and return. Despite completing the required formalities, she has yet to assume her position at the police headquarters. Currently serving as ADG Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, she is scheduled to retire in November 2025. The delay in her return has caused a one-month postponement in the promotion of ADG Rajeev Krishna (IPS:1991:UP) to the rank of DGP. Should another senior officer not return from central deputation after Mukul Goyal’s (IPS:1987:UP) retirement in February, Rajiv Krishna is expected to be promoted to the DGP position.
In December, there is an anticipation of the promotion of Special DGP Law and Order Prashant Kumar (IPS:1990:UP) to the position of DGP, potentially resulting in a reassignment of his responsibilities. The DGP position in the Intelligence department has remained vacant since the retirement of Dr. DS Chauhan (IPS:1987:UP) and is traditionally filled by one of the government’s most trusted officers.
Prashant Kumar, who has efficiently managed the responsibilities of ADG Law and Order for nearly three years, is likely to ascend to the position of DGP. This promotion could lead to Akhil Kumar (IPS:1994:UP), currently serving as ADG Gorakhpur Zone, assuming the role of ADG Law and Order. His transfer is anticipated before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Odisha: State govt allows DGP Sunil Bansal to retire on Dec 31; who will be new HoPF?
The Odisha government has granted permission for Director General of Police (DGP) Sunil Kumar Bansal, a 1987-batch IPS officer, to retire from government service on December 31. The state’s Home department conveyed this decision through an official notification, putting an end to speculations about a possible extension for Bansal.
According to the notification, the government has approved his retirement from service effective December 31, 2023, marking the completion of his two-year tenure as DGP (HoPF).
This move has sparked speculation about his successor, with several names, including that of a woman IPS officer, emerging as top contenders. Senior IPS officers A M Prasad, B Radhika, and YB Khurania are currently leading the race for the appointment of the new DGP. Sudhanshu Sarangi and Arun Sarangi, also senior IPS officers, are among the probable candidates.
Despite Manoj Chhabra and Arun Ray being next in the seniority list (1988 batch), the front-runners for the DGP post are believed to be B Radhika and A M Prasad from the 1989 batch, along with Y B Khurania from the 1990 batch. Chhabra, set to retire this month, and Ray, recently assigned the role of Officer of Special Duty (OSD) in the home department, are considered less likely candidates, according to official sources.
Pranabindu Acharya, a 1989-batch IPS officer, may also miss the opportunity as he is scheduled to retire on May 31 next year.
Speculation is abound that the state government may opt for the first woman DGP to reinforce its commitment to women’s empowerment. Radhika, currently on central deputation as the Additional DG of SSB, New Delhi, holds the distinction of being the first female IPS officer of the Odisha cadre.
Punjab: Two IAS officers shifted
The Punjab government on Friday (17.11.2023) issued transfer and posting orders for two IAS officers.
The names of the officers and their postings are as follows :
- Harpreet Singh Sudan (IAS:2013:PB), Director, Sports & Youth Services with additional charge of the posts of Director, Technical Education & Industrial Training and Controller, Printing & Stationery, has been transferred and posted as Special Secretary, Water Supply & Sanitation with additional charge of the posts of HOD, Department of Water Supply & Sanitation, Director, Sports & Youth Services, Director, Technical Education & Industrial Training and Controller, Printing & Stationery.
- Rishi Pal Singh (IAS:2014:PB), Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Jalandhar, has been transferred and his services are placed at the disposal of the Department of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare for posting as Registrar, Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana.
Rajasthan: Vineet Kumar Bansal posted as SP, Shahpura
Vineet Kumar Bansal (IPS:2012:RJ), currently serving as SP, GRP, Jodhpur, has been promptly transferred and assigned the position of SP, Shahpura, effective immediately, in adherence to the directives of the Election Commission of India.
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