The Election Commission of India has given its nod to the appointment of IAS officer Pawan Kumar Sain (IAS:2005:AGMUT) as the next Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Arunachal Pradesh, succeeding Padmini Singla (IAS:2002:AGMUT).
The formal communication of the Election Commission’s decision, dated September 14, 2023, was addressed to the Chief Secretary of the Arunachal Pradesh Government. The letter conveyed the Commission’s approval of Sain’s appointment and requested the state government to officially publish the notification in the Arunachal Pradesh State Gazette.
Sain will assume his new role with immediate effect, relinquishing any previous charges or roles held within the Government of Arunachal Pradesh, and will continue to serve until further orders.
On September 14, 2023, a group of 255 probationers from the 2018 batch of Indian Railways had the honor of meeting with the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre.
During her address to the probationers, President Murmu stressed the pivotal role played by Indian Railways in the nation’s economy and its cultural diversity. She urged the young officers to continue the legacy of excellence within the railway system and strive to make Indian Railways a global leader in service quality.
President Murmu emphasized the importance of technology in all sectors today, especially for an entity as vast as Indian Railways. She encouraged the young officers to contribute to technological advancements by developing innovative applications and systems that prioritize passenger comfort and eco-friendliness.
Furthermore, the President emphasized the significance of passenger experience, urging officers to treat passengers as valued guests and ensure their safety. She highlighted the need for efficient, AI-based systems to enhance rail safety and provide passengers with a memorable journey. (Source-PIB)
The Supreme Court Collegium on Thursday (14.09.2023) recommended appointing seven Additional Judges of the Allahabad High Court as Permanent Judges of that High Court.
The Supreme Court Collegium on Thursday (14.09.2023) recommended appointing eleven Additional Judges of the Punjab and Haryana High Court as Permanent Judges of that High Court.
The Jammu and Kashmir administration held a press conference on Wednesday in Srinagar, addressing allegations of financial irregularities in the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) implementation. Jal Shakti Department Additional Chief Secretary Shaleen Kabra (IAS:1992:AGMUT) stated that strict adherence to general financial rules and e-tendering had been followed in the UT since 2019.
Kabra emphasized that while there had been reports of a ₹13,000 crore scam, the actual expenditure under the mission was ₹3,088 crore, with ₹2,500 crore spent since August 2020. The allegations were first raised by IAS officer Ashok Parmar (IAS:1992:AGMUT) and later taken up by opposition parties, targeting the administration, including Lieutenant General Manoj Sinha and the Union government, for handling Parmar’s transfers instead of investigating the alleged scam.
Parmar had alleged irregularities in tendering for pipe supply. Kabra stressed that all allotments of works and procurement of pipe material had been done through transparent tendering since 2019, with every transaction available on the department’s website.
The JJM scheme’s goal is to provide potable drinking water to all rural homes via taps by 2024. Kabra emphasized the use of electronic mediums for all transactions and approvals, ensuring transparency in the process.
The Karnataka High Court has dismissed proceedings against IPS officer Alok Kumar (IPS:1994:KN), who currently serves as ADGP (Traffic & Road Safety). The case involved allegations of bribery made by complainant B M Mallikarjuna, also known as Fighter Ravi, who claimed that an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) had demanded a bribe on behalf of Alok Kumar to resolve an altercation incident at the Orange Bar & Restaurant. Mallikarjuna asserted that he and his friends were involved in an altercation with the bar’s management, resulting in a case being filed against him. The complainant further alleged that the ACP had demanded a bribe of Rs one crore. According to Mallikarjuna, his distant relative, Putte Gowda, who worked as a PSI under Alok Kumar, was pressured for the money. Upon refusal, Putte Gowda was suspended.
In response, the police filed a ‘B’ report, and on December 13, 2022, the special court took cognizance of offenses punishable under sections 7, 13(1)(d) read with 13(2) of the PC Act against Alok Kumar. However, Justice M Nagaprasanna noted that there was no sanction granted for the petitioner’s prosecution before the Sessions Judge took cognizance of the offense. Therefore, the court has nullified the proceedings against the petitioner, with the possibility of resuming proceedings once a valid sanction from the competent authority is presented.
As he prepares to step down from his role as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) Chief, Sanjay Kumar Mishra (IRS-IT:1984) is anticipated to put forth his recommendation for the next ED Director. This process aligns with Section 25 of the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003, which mandates a panel consisting of the Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC), two Vigilance Commissioners, and secretaries from the Home, Finance, and Department of Personnel and Training to deliberate on potential candidates for the upcoming leadership role.
The Act specifies that this committee “shall, in consultation with the Director of Enforcement, recommend officers for appointment to the posts above the level of the Deputy Director of Enforcement and also recommend the extension or curtailment of the tenure of such officers in the Directorate of Enforcement.
The tenure of Sanjay Kumar Mishra (IRS-IT:1984), the current incumbent of the Enforcement Directorate, concludes tomorrow, on September 15, as mandated by the Supreme Court. Given his close proximity to the central leadership of the present government, there is speculation that Mishra may assume a key government role that would enable him to continue overseeing money laundering cases. However, according to reports, Mishra himself has affirmed his intention to embark on a retired life beginning this weekend.
Recent media reports have sparked speculation that the Modi government is contemplating the establishment of a novel position, that of the Chief Investigation Officer of India (CIO). Under this proposed speculated arrangement, both the chiefs of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) would report to the CIO. The current ED Chief could potentially become the inaugural CIO before vacating his existing office on September 15.
This envisioned CIO role would bear resemblance to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), a position created by the Narendra Modi government in 2019, with the CIO directly accountable to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
The rumor mill in the corridors of power is expected to persist even if Mishra does not immediately transition into a new role after or before his last working day tomorrow. Such conjecture will likely only subside with the passage of time.
In a significant development, several crucial agencies in India are in anticipation of new leadership, marking a transition period for these organizations.
The Special Protection Group (SPG), responsible for safeguarding the Prime Minister of India, finds itself without a leader following the passing of its longest-serving chief, Arun Kumar Sinha (IPS:1987:KL), on September 6. Having held the helm from 2016 to 2023, Sinha’s demise has left a leadership vacuum. Currently, the agency is under the interim supervision of Sinha’s deputy, Alok Sharma (IPS:1991:UP), who took over when Sinha was on medical leave. It remains uncertain whether Sharma will assume the mantle of the elite security force.
Simultaneously, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has seen a void in the post of Director General (Investigation) for the past two months. The previous incumbent, Manoj Yadav (IPS:1988:HY), was appointed as the Chief of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) on July 19, 2023. The DG NHRC holds a pivotal role, mandated to initiate investigations into cases of human rights violations. Historically, the government has selected police officers with state and intelligence bureau experience for this crucial position.
Completing this triad of leadership transitions, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has been under the interim leadership of Nina Singh (IPS:1989:RJ) for the past fortnight. Singh assumed additional charge of head of the force following the retirement of former DG Sheel Vardhan Singh (IPS:1985:BH) on August 31. Officials within CISF have hinted at the possibility of Singh being appointed as the full-time DG, considering her position as the second-in-command within the organization.
The central government is on the verge of unveiling the new leaders for these organizations, a move poised to inject fresh perspectives and priorities. This transition is pivotal in ensuring that these agencies remain steadfast in fulfilling their pivotal roles of safeguarding the nation’s security and human rights.
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