Justice Vasant Bhadang, a retired Judge of the Bombay High Court, has been appoibted as the President of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal. The decision was formalized through an official order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Wednesday, the 18th of October 2023. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has granted approval for Justice Vasant Bhadang to assume the role of President of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal.
Sanjay Kumar returns to parent cadre
Sanjay Kumar (IRAS:1989), Joint Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy, has been prematurely repatriated to his parent cadre. According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Thursday (19.10.2023), the competent authority has approved the Department of Atomic Energy to repatriate to his paerent cadre to avail the benefit of promotion in the cadre.
Dr. Sumit Seth concurrently accredited as Ambassador of India to Costa Rica
Dr. Sumit Seth (IFS:2005) has been concurrently accredited as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Costa Rica with residence in Panama. Presently, he is serving as Ambassador of India to the Republic of Panama and is expected to take up the assignment shortly.
Randhir Jaiswal likely to be next MEA spokesperson
According to reliable sources, there is a strong indication that senior diplomat Randhir Jaiswal (IFS:1998), India’s current Consul General in New York, is the frontrunner to assume the esteemed role of the Ministry of External Affairs’ spokesperson. If this speculation holds true, Jaiswal will succeed the outgoing spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi (IFS:1995).
Arindam Bagchi has been appointed India’s permanent representative to the United Nations (UN) in Geneva and is expected to join the post soon.
While the official announcement of this decision remains pending, it is apparent that Randhir Jaiswal has emerged as the likely candidate, as sources privy to the matter have indicated. However, it’s important to note that we must exercise patience and await the formal confirmation.
Earlier in the process, there was a prevailing buzz within the corridors of power about several notable officials being in the running for the prestigious role of spokesperson. Prominent among these contenders were Nagaraj Naidu Kakanur (IFS:1998), the joint secretary responsible for G20 affairs, and K Nandini Singla (IFS:1997), who currently serves as the esteemed high commissioner to Mauritius. These individuals were among the leading contenders for the position, but it appears that the spotlight has now shifted towards Randhir Jaiswal.
Randhir Jaiswal took up his post as India’s Consul General in New York in July 2020.
Jaiswal’s distinguished diplomatic career spans over two decades, during which he has held various challenging and prestigious positions. His international postings have taken him to countries such as Portugal, Cuba, and South Africa. Furthermore, he made significant contributions to India’s global engagements while serving at India’s permanent mission to the United Nations in New York, underscoring his expertise on the world stage.
Within the Ministry of External Affairs, Jaiswal has demonstrated his versatility by serving as the Deputy Secretary, responsible for managing and fostering relations with the United States, a pivotal bilateral partnership. He has also served as a Joint Secretary, overseeing relations with countries in Western Europe, further enriching his diplomatic experience.
In mid-2017, he was deputed to serve the President as the joint secretary responsible for international relations.
Kerala IAS Officer Dr. Raju Narayana Swamy Unveils Comprehensive Book on Cyber Law, Crimes, Forensics, and Cyber Security
“Cyber Law, Crimes, Forensics, and Cyber Security: A 1,7,1…Introductory Approach” is the latest literary offering by Dr. Raju Narayana Swamy, a distinguished Kerala Cadre IAS Officer, whose notable works have garnered significant acclaim. The book was unveiled by the renowned “Metro Man,” Sri. E Sreedharan.
This book, structured around a unique format of 171 questions and answers, serves as an invaluable resource for individuals at various levels of expertise, catering to novices venturing into the world of cybersecurity as well as more advanced learners, including LLM students. The comprehensive scope of this book extends beyond Cyber Forensics and Cyber Security, delving into cutting-edge technological concepts. It explores a broad spectrum of topics, from Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, and Quantum Computing, in addition to addressing the complex techno-legal challenges that accompany these innovations.
Dr. Swamy, a prolific author, and scholar, has contributed significantly to the literary world, with “Cyber Law, Crimes, Forensics, and Cyber Security: A 1,7,1….Introductory Approach” marking his 32nd publication. His earlier works, including the Kerala Sahitya Academy Award-winning travelogue “Shantimanthram Muzhangunna Thazhvarayil” and the Kunhunni Award-winning “Neelakkurinji: Oru Vyazhavattathile Vasantham,” have established his reputation as a versatile writer.
Notably, Dr. Raju Narayana Swamy, often recognized as Kerala’s anticorruption crusader, has made headlines for his distinguished service. He was appointed as the Central Observer of the Election Commission of India, where he set a record with his exemplary performance. He even served as an International Observer during the 2018 Zimbabwe Elections.
In recognition of his exceptional contributions to the field of intellectual property law, Dr. Swamy was honored with the prestigious Leonardo da Vinci Fellowship in 2021 by the Center for Intellectual Property and Innovation Policy at George Mason University. This award underscores his scholarly excellence in this domain.
Furthermore, Dr. Swamy’s commitment to upholding human values and professional integrity earned him the 2018 Satyendra K. Dubey Memorial Award from IIT Kanpur. His dedication to cyber law and related matters was further acknowledged with the esteemed Homi Bhabha Fellowship.
Dr. Swamy’s academic journey is marked by excellence. He holds a B.Tech degree in computer science and engineering from IIT Madras, and his pursuit of knowledge continued with a PG Diploma from the National Law School in Bangalore, and an LL.M. degree from NLU Delhi, both of which he completed with distinction, earning gold medals for his exceptional performance. His diverse educational background and his passion for exploring the intersection of technology and law make him a notable figure in the field of cyber law and cybersecurity.
MP: Three IAS officers assigned additional responsibilities
The Madhya Pradesh government on October 16 assigned additional responsibilities to three IAS officers.
The names of the officers and their postings are as follows :
- K C Gupta (IAS:1992:MP), Additional Chief Secretary, Higher Education, has been given additional charge of Commissioner, Higher Education.
- Ganesh Shankar Mishra (IAS:2010:MP), MD, MP Central Zone Area Electricity Distribution Company Limited, Bhopal, has given additional charge of MD, Energy Development Corporation, Bhopal.
- Bakki Karthikeyan (IAS:2012:MP), Director, Budget, has been given additional charge of the post of OSD-cum-Commissioner-cum-Director, Institutional Finance.
MP: Two IAS officers posted as Collectors
The Madhya Pradesh government on October 13 issued a transfer and posting order for two IAS officers in compliance with the directive from the Election Commission of India.
The names of the officers and their postings are as follows :
- Karmveer Sharma (IAS:2010:MP), Additional Commissioner, Higher Education with additional charges of MD, Energy Development Corporation and Ex-officio Additional Secretary, Energy Department and Commissioner, Higher Education, has been transferred and posted as Collector, Khargone.
- Bhaskar Lakshkar (IAS:2010:MP), OSD-cum-Commissioner-cum-Director, Institutional Finance and Additional Secretary, Finance Department, has been transferred and posted as Collector, Ratlam.
MHA updates central deputation policy, opening the door for young IPS officers to join CBI
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is on the verge of resolving its shortage of Indian Police Service (IPS) officers as the Union Home Ministry recently updated the tenure policy for central deputation. Under the updated policy, officers with a minimum of five years of service will now be eligible for induction into agencies like R&AW, IB, NIA, and the CBI. Previously, officers with a minimum of five years of service could join R&AW, IB, and NIA, but the CBI was excluded from this provision.
This policy update aims to tackle the issue of significant vacancies within the CBI, which has been impacting the speed and efficiency of investigations. According to the most recent data from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the CBI had a shortage of 42 IPS officers at the SP (Superintendent of Police) level, out of a sanctioned strength of 73. Additionally, there were 32 vacancies in the Intelligence Bureau (IB).
The role of an SP-level officer in investigations is crucial, as they oversee and directly handle cases. Given that the CBI deals primarily with high-profile cases, the absence of IPS officers at the SP level has been impeding the agency’s structure and operations for some time.
In a similar vein, the IB has expanded its officer ranks from SP and DIG to include IG, ADG, and DG positions to meet core staffing requirements. Previously, the “hardcore” officer strength in the IB was limited to 50% of the combined posts in the ranks of SP, DIG, IG, ADG, Special DG, and DG, all to be filled by IPS officers.
If a “hardcore” officer transitions from the IB to R&AW through a lateral shift, they will be treated as a “Permanently Seconded” officer of R&AW for the duration of their service in the agency. This also impacts matters such as the counting of the minimum period required for promotions and deployments, which now considers the combined service time in both IB and R&AW.
The updated policy also includes modifications in the empanelment process for senior IPS officers. The Ministry of Home Affairs has emphasized that each state cadre of the IPS designates a central deputation quota, necessitating additional recruitment to provide trained and experienced members for central government positions.
WB: 37 IAS officers shifted
The West Bengal government on Wednesday (17.10.2023) effected a significant bureaucratic overhaul, reshuffling its administrative setup by transferring a total of 37 IAS officers.
The names of the officers and their postings are as follows :
- Prasenjit Hans (IAS:2011:WB), Special Commissioner in the rank of Special Secretary in the Transport Department, has been transferred and posted as Special Secretary, Panchayat and Rural Development.
- Rajanvir Singh Kapur (IAS:2012:WB), Managing Director, West Bengal Transport Corporation, has been transferred and posted as Special Secretary, Sunderban Affairs Department.
- Suktisita Bhattacharya (IAS:2012:WB), Special Commissioner in the rank of Special Secretary, Panchayat and Rural Development, has been transferred and posted as Special Commissioner in the rank of Special Secretary in Health and Family Welfare Department.
- Mayuri Vasu (IAS:2013:WB), Commissioner, Durgapur Municipal Corporation with additional charge of Additional District Magistrate, Paschim Bardhaman and Managing Director, SBSTC, has been transferred and posted as Special Secretary, Urban Development & Municipal Affairs Department.
- Dhaval Jain (IAS:2014:WB), Commissioner, Howrah Municipal Corporation with additional charge of Additional District Magistrate, Howrah, has been relieved of the additional charge of Additional District Magistrate, Howrah.
- Dileep Mishra (IAS:2019:WB), SDO, Kharagpur, Paschim Medinipur, has been transferred and posted as Joint Secretary, Tribal Development Department.
- Shiraz Daneshyar (IAS:2014:WB), ADM, Cooch Behar, has been transferred and posted as ADM, Paschim Bardhaman.
- Unice Rishin Ismail (IAS:2014:WB), ADM, Purba Bardhaman, has been transferred and posted as ADM, Howrah.
- Kuhuk Bhushan (IAS:2015:WB), ADM, Paschim Medinipur, has been transferred and posted as ADM, Hooghly.
- Sweta Agarwal (IAS:2016:WB), ADM, Purba Medinipur, has been transferred and posted as ADM, Purba Bardhaman.
- Vaibhav Chaudhury (IAS:2016:WB), ADM, Malda, has been transferred and posted as ADM, Purba Medinipur.
- Vivek Bhasme Dattatreya (IAS:2016:WB), ADM, Jalpaiguri, has been transferred and posted as ADM, Bankura.
- Dhiman Barai (IAS:2016:WB), ADM, Jhargram, has been transferred and posted as ADM, Jalpaiguri.
- Shantanu Bala (IAS:2017:WB), ADM, Hooghly, has been transferred and posted as ADM, Cooch Behar.
- Shrinivas Vyankatrao (IAS:2018:WB), ADM, Nadia, has been transferred and posted as ADM, Paschim Medinipur.
- Anshul Gupta (IAS:2013:WB), ADM, Murshidabad, has been transferred and posted as MD, West Bengal Transport Corporation.
- Aditi Chaudhary (IAS:2014:WB), ADM, South 24 Parganas, has been transferred and posted as Special Secretary, Women & Child Development & Social Welfare Department.
- Sandeep Kumar Ghosh (IAS:2016:WB), ADM, Hooghly, has been transferred and posted as Joint Secretary, Technical Education Training and Skill Development Department.
- Priyadarshini S (IAS:2017:WB), ADM, Bankura, has been transferred and posted as Joint Secretary, Consumer Affairs Department.
- Ravi Prakash Meena (IAS:2017:WB), ADM, Nadia, has been transferred and posted as Joint Secretary, Agriculture Department.
- Lakshmana Perumal R (IAS:2018:WB), ADM, Paschim Medinipur, has been transferred and posted as Joint Secretary, Animal Resources Development.
- Tshering Y Bhutia (IAS:2013:WB), ADM, Kalimpong, has been transferred and posted as Special Commissioner, GST, Siliguri.
- Shaikh Ansar Ahamad (IAS:2016:WB), Joint Secretary, Agriculture Department, has been transferred and posted as Additional District Magistrate, Jhargram
- P B Salunkhe (IAS:2018:WB), SDO, Mal, Jalpaiguri, has been transferred and posted as ADM, Malda.
- Saddam Navas (IAS:2018:WB), SDO, Rampurhat, Birbhum, has been transferred and posted as ADM, South 14, Paraganas.
- Shinjan Shekhar (IAS:2018:WB), SDO, Jangipur, Murshidabad, has been transferred and posted as ADM, Nadia.
- Naveen Kumar Chandra (IAS:2018:WB), SDO, Kandi, Murshidabad, has been transferred and posted as ADM, Dakshin Dinajpur.
- Naveen Mittal (IAS:2020:WB), OSD in Tourism Department, has been transferred and posted as SDO, Mathabhanga, Cooch Behar.
- Ananya Singh (IAS:2020:WB), OSD in Health and Family Welfare, has been transferred and posted as SDO, Tehatta, Nadia.
- Shubham Kundal (IAS:2020:WB), OSD in Public Health Engineering Department, has been transferred and posted as SDO, Mal, Jalpaiguri.
- Saurav Pandey (IAS:2020:WB), OSD in Panchayat & Rural Development Department, has been transferred and posted as SDO, Rampurhat, Birbhum.
- Ekam J Singh (IAS:2020:WB), OSD in Women & Child Development & Social Welfare Department, has been transferred and posted as SDO, Jangipur, Murshidabad.
- Patil Yogesh Ashokrao (IAS:2020:WB), OSD in Home and Hill Affairs Department, has been transferred and posted as SDO, Kharagpur, Paschim Medinipur.
- Manjeet Kumar Yadav (IAS:2020:WB), OSD in Technical Education & Training Department, has been transferred and posted as SDO, Egra, Purba Medinipur.
- Vishnu Das (IAS:2020:WB), OSD in Fisheries, Aquaculture, Aquatic Resources and Fishing Harbours Department, has been transferred and posted as SDO, Chandannagar, Hooghly.
- Utkarsh Singh (IAS:2020:WB), OSD in Food and Supplies Department, has been transferred and posted as SDO, Kandi, Murshidabad.
- Vandavasi Teja Deepak (IAS:2020:WB), OSD in Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises and Textiles Department, has been transferred and posted as SDO, Mirik, Darjeeling.
UP: 5 IAS officers shifted
The Uttar Pradesh government on Wednesday (18.10.2023) issued transfer and posting orders for five IAS officers
The names of the officers and their postings are as follows :
- Anil Kumar Singh (IAS), CDO, Lakhimpur Khiri, has been transferred and posted as Special Secretary, Industrial Development.
- Vijay Kumar (IAS), CDO, Saharanpur, has been transferred and posted as Special Secretary, Geology and Mining Department.
- Umakant Tripathi (IAS), Additional District Magistrate (Finance & Revenue), Banda, has been transferred and posted as Additional Commissioner, Jhansi Division.
- Jasjit Kaur (IAS:2012:UP), awaiting posting orders, has been posted as Additional Commissioner, Meerut Division.
- Ravi Ranjan (IAS:2014:UP), Special Secretary, Agriculture has been given additional charges of Special Secretary, Information Technology and MD, UP Electronics.
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