Ashok Kumar Sharma (IDES:1994), recommended for central deputation by the Ministry of Defence, has been chosen for the position of Director at the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), Delhi. According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Thursday (30.11.2023), the central government has given its approval for Mr. Sharma’s appointment to the post under the central staffing scheme. His term will last for five years from the date of assuming charge or until further orders, whichever occurs earlier.
IAS Himanshu Gupta appointed Secretary, CBSE
Himanshu Gupta (IAS:2012:AGMUT) has been named as the Secretary of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) under the Department of School Education and Literacy, New Delhi, for a tenure of four years. As per an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Thursday (30.11.2023), the competent authority has granted approval for Mr. Gupta’s appointment to the position for four years from the date of assuming charge or until further orders, whichever comes earlier.
UP: 25 newly promoted IPS officers receive posting orders as SP
After a long wait, officers who were promoted from PPS to IPS have finally received postings corresponding to their ranks. In September, 26 PPS officers were elevated to the rank of IPS, and as of Wednesday, 25 of them have been assigned positions as SP.
Delhi: Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar gets six months extension
Following approval from the Supreme Court, the central government issued an extension order on Wednesday for Delhi Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar (IAS:1987:AGMUT), providing him with an additional six months. As per an order from the Minister of Home Affairs, the competent authority has sanctioned the extension of Mr. Kumar’s tenure for a period extending six months beyond 30.11.2023 (01.12.2023 to 31.05.2023).
During the court hearing on Wednesday, the Supreme Court asserted that the Centre’s decision aligns with the Constitutional distribution of powers. It underscored the Centre’s authority to extend the Chief Secretary’s tenure, particularly in matters beyond the jurisdiction of the Delhi government, such as police, land, and public order.
This development unfolded a day after the Central government informed the Supreme Court about its intention to extend Naresh Kumar’s tenure for a limited period. In response to the court’s inquiry regarding the legal foundation for the extension, the Solicitor General, representing the Centre, clarified that the extension was temporary and that a new appointment would follow.
Senior Diplomat Dinkar Asthana accredited as Ambassador to Guinea-Bissau
Dinkar Asthana (IFS:1990), the current Ambassador of India to the Republic of Senegal, has been concurrently accredited as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Guinea-Bissau. He is set to assume this additional diplomatic assignment shortly.
MP: Veera Rana gets additional charge of Chief Secretary
The Madhya Pradesh government, on Wednesday (29.11.2023), appointed senior IAS officer Veera Rana (IAS:1988:MP) to the additional charge of Chief Secretary. Currently serving as the chairperson of the Madhya Pradesh Board of Secondary Education, Rana also holds the additional charge of the state’s Agriculture Production Commissioner.
Effective Thursday, Rana will step into her new role, becoming only the second woman bureaucrat in Madhya Pradesh’s history to serve as Chief Secretary—the state’s top bureaucratic position. The first woman to hold this position was IAS officer Nirmala Buch in the early 1990s.
Veera Rana will take over the Chief Secretary role from senior administrative officer Iqbal Singh Bains (IAS:1985:MP), who is retiring after receiving two extensions. Originally set to retire on November 30, 2022, Bains was granted a six-month extension until May 31, 2023, followed by another extension for the same period, extending his service until November 30, 2023, in consideration of the assembly elections.
Rajeev Kumar Singhal takes charge as Director (BD), GAIL
In a notable development, Rajeev Kumar Singhal has assumed the position of Director (Business Development) at GAIL (India) Limited, effective Tuesday. Singhal, previously serving as the Executive Director within the same organization, brings a wealth of experience to his new role.
Educated as an Electronics and Communication Engineer from IIT BHU Varanasi and holding a Diploma in Business and Finance from ICFAI, Singhal’s strong educational background complements his extensive industry experience. His journey at GAIL began in 1989 when he joined as an Assistant Executive Engineer, and over the course of more than three decades, he has held various key positions within the organization, contributing significantly to its growth and success.
Singhal’s expertise spans a broad spectrum of areas within the natural gas industry, covering operations and maintenance of gas installations, SCADA/Telecom, LNG sourcing, trading, shipping, marketing, and business development. His portfolio also includes vital aspects such as mergers and acquisitions, diversification, renewables/green hydrogen, and more.
It’s noteworthy that the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) panel recommended Singhal for the post of Director (BD) on September 20, following interviews with 10 candidates.
Khwairakpam Pratap Singh gets extension as CVO of NEEPCO
Khwairakpam Pratap Singh (IRPS:2000), currently serving as the Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) of North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Ltd. (NEEPCO), Shillong, has had his deputation tenure extended for an additional two years. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) issued an order on Wednesday (29.11.2023), announcing that the competent authority has approved the proposal to extend Mr. Singh’s deputation tenure beyond January 3, 2024, up to January 3, 2026, or until further orders, whichever occurs earlier.
Vikas Kumar Dubey returns to parent cadre
Vikas Kumar Dubey (ISS:2006), currently serving as the Director of the Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO) at NITI Aayog, has been prematurely repatriated to his parent cadre. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) issued an order on Wednesday (29.11.2023), indicating that the competent authority has given approval to the proposal made by DMEO, NITI Aayog. The repatriation aims to enable Dubey to avail the benefits of promotion in his parent cadre.
Ajay Kumar Bhalla gets addl. charge of Secretary, D/o Border Management
Ajay Kumar Bhalla (IAS:1984:AM), currently serving as the Home Secretary of the Government of India, has been given the additional charge of Secretary, Department of Border Management, with immediate effect. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) issued an order on Wednesday (29.11.2023), stating that the competent authority has approved the assignment of the additional charge to Mr. Bhalla. This responsibility will be held by him until the appointment of a regular incumbent or until further orders, whichever occurs earlier.
Atal Dulloo (IAS:1989:AGMUT), who previously held the position of Secretary in the Department of Border Management before his repatriation to the parent cadre on November 20, has now taken on the role of Chief Secretary in Jammu and Kashmir as of November 28. Following his appointment, the position in the Department of Border Management has been left vacant.
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