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.
Amit Garg gets extension as Acting Director of SVP NPA for another three months
Amit Garg (IPS:1993:AP), currently serving as the Additional Director at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVP NPA) in Hyderabad, has been granted an extension to continue holding the additional charge of the position of Director, SVP NPA. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday (28.11.2023) issued an order approving the extension, allowing Mr. Garg to retain the additional charge for a further three-month period.
The competent authority has sanctioned the extension beyond November 30, 2023, or until the appointment and joining of a regular incumbent, or until further orders, whichever occurs earlier. Notably, this marks the third consecutive three-month extension for Mr. Garg in this role.
Initially, he assumed the additional charge of the post of Director, SVP NPA for three months following the retirement of A Sema Rajan (IPS:1987:BH) on February 28. Subsequently, before the completion of the initial three-month period by May 31, he received his first three-month extension on May 29. The second extension for three months was granted on August 30, as his tenure was set to expire on August 31. Now, with this latest extension, Mr. Amit Garg will continue in his role for an additional three months.
Odisha: Naveen Patnaik’s ex-private secretary VK Pandian joins BJD
The Chief Minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik witnessed the formal inclusion of V K Pandian (IAS:2000:OD), a former IAS officer and close confidant, into the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Monday. The event took place at Naveen Niwas, with senior party leaders present, marking a significant political development in Odisha.
V K Pandian, who took voluntary retirement on October 23, holds considerable influence within the power circles of Odisha. Post his retirement, he was appointed as the chairman of Nabin Odisha and Vision 5T, flagship initiatives of the Patnaik government, with the rank of Cabinet minister.
The decision to induct Pandian into the BJD on Kartik Purnima, a day considered auspicious in Odisha, carries political weight. While the specific role and position Pandian will assume within the party are yet to be clarified, insiders suggest that his involvement will be pivotal in shaping the party’s campaign strategy and candidate selection for the upcoming Assembly and general elections in April-May next year.
There is speculation that Pandian might be granted a significant position within the BJD, potentially standing next to Naveen Patnaik, who has been the party’s president since December 26, 1997.
Notably, in March 2023, Pandian began attending public grievance meetings in various districts, ostensibly on the chief minister’s directives. During these visits, he actively engaged with the public, announced developmental schemes, and delivered speeches akin to political leaders, indicating a shift towards a more public role.
Uttarakhand: Abhinav Kumar appointed as new DGP
The Uttarakhand government on Wednesday (29.11.2023) appointed senior IPS officer Abhinav Kumar (IPS:1996:UK) to take on the additional responsibility of the Director General of Police (DGP). This move comes as the current DGP, Ashok Kumar (IPS:1989:UK), is scheduled to retire on November 30. Abhinav Kumar, who is presently serving as ADGP (Intelligence & Security), will assume the additional charge of DGP in Uttarakhand.
Also Read: Uttarakhand’s Enigmatic DGP Succession: A Puzzling Predicament
Also Read: UPSC amends guidelines for appointment of DGP
J&K: Atal Dulloo appointed new Chief Secretary
Senior IAS officer Atal Dulloo (IAS:1989:AGMUT) has been appointed as the Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir, stepping into the role currently held by Arun Kumar Mehta (IAS:1988:AGMUT), who is set to retire on November 30.
As per an order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Atal Dulloo will officially assume the position of Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir starting from December 1. The order states, “Consequent upon the superannuation of Arun Kumar Mehta, IAS, on 30.11.2023, and on repatriation from central deputation, Atal Dulloo, IAS is hereby appointed as Chief Secretary, Jammu and Kashmir, with effect from 01.12.2023, or from the date of assumption of charge, whichever is later and until further orders. This issues with the approval of the competent authority.”
Notably, Atal Dulloo was repatriated to his Union Territories cadre on November 20 by the Central government after serving as the secretary of the Department of Border Management under the Home Ministry. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has granted approval for Dulloo’s return to his parent cadre, based on the request from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
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