Shankar Lal Bhalotia (IP&TA&FS:1992), serving as the Chief Vigilance Officer of Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) in Kolkata, has been prematurely repatriated to his parent cadre. As per an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Saturday (24.02.2024), the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has given approval to the proposal for Mr. Bhalotia’s repatriation, subject to the condition of an extended cooling-off period.
Deputy Election Commissioner RK Gupta gets three months extension
RK Gupta (Retd CSS officer) has been granted an extension in his re-employment with the Election Commission of India (ECI) as Deputy Election Commissioner (Joint Secretary level). The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) issued an order on Saturday (24.02.2024) stating that the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has given approval to ECI’s proposal for extending Mr. Gupta’s contract for an additional three months. The extension is effective from 28.02.2024, continuing up to 31.05.2024, or until further orders, whichever occurs earlier.
Ahead of Polls, Election Commission Blocks Officials’ Shuffling Within Constituencies
As the Lok Sabha elections approach, the Election Commission of India has issued a directive to state governments, urging them to ensure that officials transferred out of a district after serving three years are not subsequently posted in another district within the same parliamentary constituency. This directive, issued on February 24, 2024, comes in response to instances where officials were relocated to adjacent districts within the same constituency, causing disruptions to the electoral balance.
The Election Commission has called upon state governments to rigorously implement the official transfer policy, stating, “Except for the states/UTs that comprise up to two parliamentary constituencies, all states shall ensure that officers who are transferred out of the district are not posted within the same parliamentary constituency.”
The primary objective of this move is to maintain a level-playing field in the electoral process by preventing officials from influencing the proceedings in an unbalanced manner. The Election Commission emphasized that this rule would apply retroactively, covering transfers and postings that have already taken place under its jurisdiction.
According to the Election Commission’s existing policy, officers who have served in their home district or completed a three-year tenure in a single location are subject to transfer. This rule is applicable to all officials involved in electoral work, whether directly or in a supervisory capacity. The aim is to uphold the principles of a free and fair election process by curbing any potential disruptions caused by the strategic placement of officials.
Maharashtra: 12 IAS officers shifted, Rajesh Kumar posted as ACS, Revenue
The Maharashtra government on Friday (23.02.2024) issued transfer and posting orders for 12 IAS officers.
The names of the officers and their postings are as follows;
- Rajesh Kumar (IAS:1988:MH), Additional Chief Secretary, Co-operation and Marketing, has been transferred and posted as Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue & Forests.
- OP Gupta (IAS:1992:MH), Additional Chief Secretary (Expenditure), Finance Department, has been made in-charge of the Finance department.
- Sanjay Sethi (IAS:1992:MH), Chairman of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority and returned to the state government after completion of his deputation, has been posted as Additional Chief Secretary, Transport & Ports.
- Parrag Jaiin Nainutia (IAS:1996:MH), Principal Secretary, Transport & Ports Department, has been transferred and posted Principal Secretary, Informational Technology.
- Vijay Singhal (IAS:1997:MH), General Manager, BEST, has been transferred and posted as Vice Chairman and Managing Director, CIDCO.
- Milind Shambharkar (IAS:2008:MH) has been posted as Chief Officer, Mumbai Repairs and Reconstruction Board, Mumbai.
- Kavita Dwivedi (IAS:2011:MH), Commissioner, Akola Municipal Corporation, Akola, has been posted as Additional Divisional Commissioner, Pune division.
- Dr. Hemant Wasekar (IAS:2015:MH), Commissioner, Animal Husbandary, Pune, has been appointed as Project Director, Balasaheb Thackeray Agri Business and Rural Transformation (SMART) Project, Pune.
- Kaustubh Divegaonkar (IAS:2013:MH), Project Director, Balasaheb Thackeray Agri Business and Rural Transformation (SMART) Project, Pune has been transferred and posted as Commissioner, Animal Husbandry, Pune.
- Kartiki NS (IAS:2021:MH) has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer, Smart City Pune
- MJ Pradeep Chandra (IAS) has been posted as Additional Development Commissioner (Industries), Directorate of Industries, Mumbai
- Kavali Meghna (IAS:2021:MH) has been posted as Project Officer, Integrated Tribal Development Project, Kinwat.
NITI Aayog Director Avinash Champawat repatriated to his parent cadre
Avinash Champawat (IAS:2003:CG), who was serving as the Director in the NITI Aayog, has been prematurely repatriated to his parent cadre. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has issued an order confirming that the competent authority has approved the proposal made by the NITI Aayog to repatriate Mr. Champawat to his parent cadre on personal grounds.
Vikranth Raja A appointed as DCO/DCR, Lakshadweep
Vikranth Raja A (IAS:2015:AGMUT) has been appointed as Director of Census Operation (DCO)/Director of Citizen Registration (DCR) of Lakshadweep. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Thursday (22.02.2024) issued an order confirming his appointment on an additional charge basis under the central staffing scheme. The competent authority has approved Mr. Raja A’s tenure in this capacity until 31.12.2025 or until further orders, whichever occurs earlier.
Telangana: Five IAS officers shifted
The Telangana government on Thursday (22.02.2024) issued transfer and posting orders for five IAS officers.
The names of the officers and their postings are as follows;
- Patil Prashant Jeevan (IAS:2011:TG), Collector & Magistrate, Siddipet, has been transferred and posted as Special Secretary, I&CAD Department.
- Rizwanbasha Shaik (IAS:2017:TG), Municipal Commissioner, Greater Warangal Municipal Corporation (GWMC), Warangal, has been transferred and posted as Collector & District Magistrate, Jangaon.
- Mikkilineni Manu Choudary (IAS:2017:TG), Additional Collector (Local Bodies), Kamareddy, has been transferred and posted as Collector & District Magistrate, Siddipet.
- Shivalingaiah (IAS:2013:TG), Collector & District Magistrate, Jangaon, has been transferred and he shall report to the GAD.
- Shailaja Ramaiyer (IAS:1997:TG), Principal Secretary, YAT&C Department, has been transferred and is placed in FAC of the post of Principal Secretary, Endowments, Revenue Department
A S Rajeev appointed Vigilance Commissioner in CVC
The central government has appointed A S Rajeev as the Vigilance Commissioner in the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). A S Rajeev previously served as the Managing Director & CEO of Bank of Maharashtra, a public sector bank.
In a recent development, Rajeev chose to retire voluntarily from the position of Managing Director & CEO of Bank of Maharashtra, and his request was duly accepted by the competent authority, as per a letter from the Department of Financial Services (DFS).
According to the CVC Act, the Central Vigilance Commission now functions as a three-member body, comprising the Central Vigilance Commissioner and two Vigilance Commissioners. Praveen Kumar Srivastava has held the position of Central Vigilance Commissioner since May 2023, while Arvinda Kumar has been serving as a Vigilance Commissioner since August 2022.
Sunil Sharma appointed as Director in D/o School Education & Literacy
Sunil Sharma (IRS-IT:2010), who was recommended for central deputation by the Department of Revenue, has been selected for appointment as Director in the Department of School Education & Literacy, Delhi, for five years. According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Friday (23.02.2024), the central government approved the appointment of Mr. Sharma to the post for a period of five years under central staffing scheme from the date of taking over charge of the post or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
Nitin Jain appointed as Director in Ministry of Steel
Nitin Jain (IRS-C&CE:2011), who was recommended for central deputation by the Department of Revenue, has been selected for appointment as Director in the Ministry of Steel, Delhi. According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Friday (23.02.2024), the central government approved the appointment of Mr. Jain to the post for period upto 15.03.2025 (combined tenure of four years at ex-cadre deputation and CSS deputation posts put together) under central staffing scheme from the date of taking over charge of the post or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
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