The West Bengal government took the initiative on Thursday (31.08.2023) to restructure the administrative setup of the state by issuing transfer and posting orders for 3 IAS (Indian Administrative Service) officers.
The names of the officers and their postings are as follows :
Dipankar Sinha (IAS:2007:WB), Secretary in Housing Department, has been transferred and posted as Director, Library Services.
Sujata Ghosh (IAS:2010:WB), Senior Special Secretary, Urban Development & Municipal Affairs Department, has been transferred and posted as Senior Special Secretary, Self Help Group and Self-Employment Department.
Akanksha Bhaskar (IAS:2015:WB), Joint Secretary, Panchayat & Rural Development Department, has been transferred and posted as CEO, Asansol Durgapur Development Authority.
The Supreme Court Collegium on Thursday (31.08.2023) issued recommendations pertaining to the Karnataka High Court, including the confirmation of two Additional Judges as permanent judges and the extension of another judge’s term as an Additional Judge for one more year.
The Collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud, proposed the following:
Justice Anant Ramanath Hegde and Justice Kannankuzhyil Sreedharan Hemalekha, who are currently serving as Additional Judges, are recommended to be appointed as Permanent Judges of the High Court of Karnataka to fill existing vacancies.
Instead of being appointed as a permanent judge, Justice Siddaiah Rachaiah is recommended to continue serving as an Additional Judge for an additional term of one year, commencing from November 8, 2023.
The Supreme Court Collegium on Thursday (31.08.2023) recommended appointing five Additional Judges of the Madras High Court as Permanent Judges of that High Court.
The Supreme Court Collegium has reaffirmed its previous recommendation, originally dated August 23, to transfer Justice Nani Tagia from the Gauhati High Court to the Patna High Court, with the aim of enhancing the administration of justice.
Justice Tagia had submitted a request to the SC Collegium, seeking either to remain at one of the benches of the Gauhati High Court or to be transferred to the High Court of Tripura.
After careful consideration of Justice Nani Tagia’s request, the Collegium has determined that there is no substantial merit in his plea. Consequently, the Collegium has chosen to reassert its initial recommendation. This decision was communicated through a resolution published on the official website of the Supreme Court on Thursday (24 August).
The Collegium, presided over by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, disclosed that it sought input from other justices within the Supreme Court who possess familiarity with the operations of the Gauhati High Court. Additionally, consultations were held with the Chief Justices of both the Gauhati High Court and the Patna High Court regarding this matter.
In the aftermath of a government mistake regarding the dissolution of panchayats, two senior IAS officers have faced suspension due to their role in a technically flawed decision. Chief Secretary Anurag Verma issued orders for the immediate suspension of Dhirendra Kumar Tiwari (IAS:1994:PB), serving as Principal Secretary (Water Supply & Sanitation) and Financial Commissioner (Rural Development & Panchayats), and Gurpreet Singh Khaira (IAS:2009:PB), holding the position of Director (Rural Development & Panchayats) and ex-officio Special Secretary (Department of Rural Development & Panchayats), along with serving as the Mission Director of Mahatma Gandhi Sarbat Vikas Yojana.
The government suspended them under the provisions of rule 3(1) of the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969. The suspension orders specify that these officers will be based in Chandigarh during their suspension period and entitled to subsistence allowance as per regulations.
Both officers played a pivotal role in the ill-fated decision to dissolve panchayats, which resulted in substantial embarrassment for the government after panchayats sought relief from the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Faced with a challenging situation, the government had no choice but to reverse its decision.
Rural Development and Panchayats Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar explained that the government suspended these officers due to their involvement in a technically flawed decision. He emphasized that the decision to dissolve panchayats, considered the cornerstone of democracy, had been revoked. In a statement, he disclosed that when Chief Minister Mann became aware of the panchayat dissolution issue, he ordered strict action against the officers involved.
In the aftermath of allegations made by senior IAS officer Ashok Kumar Parmar (IAS:1992:AGMUT) against Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor and Chief Secretary, the administration has initiated an inquiry, according to a senior official.
The complaint, submitted by the senior IAS officer to the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) in New Delhi, implicated LG Manoj Sinha and UT Chief Secretary Arun Kumar Mehta (IAS:1988:AGMUT).
“We will thoroughly investigate any allegations and take appropriate action against false complaints,” stated a high-ranking J&K administration official who is aware of the developments, addressing the situation on Wednesday.
Parmar’s complaint to the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) accused Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Secretary Arun Mehta (IAS:1988:J&K) of subjecting him to harassment and humiliation. Parmar had previously expressed concerns about irregularities in the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission in Jammu and Kashmir and alleged that his repeated transfers were linked to his scheduled caste status and his role in exposing issues related to the mission.
Anwar Hussain Shaik (IRTS:2000), currently serving as Counsellor (Agriculture) at the Permanent Mission of India (PMI) to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva, has been granted an extension of his foreign deputation tenure for an additional seven months. This decision follows an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on August 31, 2023.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has given its approval to the Department of Commerce’s proposal to extend Mr. Shaik’s foreign deputation tenure. This extension will be effective beyond August 31, 2023, and will continue until March 31, 2023, or until his successor assumes the role at the Mission, or until further orders are issued—whichever occurs earlier.
Anurag Jain (IAS:1989:MP), currently serving as the Secretary of the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, has been entrusted with an additional responsibility as the Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. This decision, made by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) in an order dated Thursday, August 31, 2023, has been approved by the competent authority. This additional charge has been assigned to Mr. Jain following the superannuation of Alkesh Kumar Sharma (IAS:1990:KL) on the same date. Mr. Jain will hold this additional charge until the appointment of a regular incumbent or until further orders are issued, whichever comes first.
In a strategic maneuver that unfolded at midnight on Thursday, the Modi government carried out an extensive overhaul of the bureaucratic landscape. This transformation encompassed a series of measures including the appointment of fresh officials, lateral transfers, and in-situ promotions for over a dozen seasoned IAS officers.
The following is a breakdown of the officers and their new designations:
S Krishnan (IAS:1989:TN), currently within the cadre, has been designated as the Secretary for the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. This appointment follows the retirement of Alkesh Kumar Sharma (IAS:1990:KL) on August 31, 2023.
Umang Narula (IAS:1989:AGMUT), presently in the cadre, has been named the Secretary for the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, succeeding Gudey Srinivas (IAS:1990:OR).
Ashish Upadhyaya (IAS:1989:MP) has been chosen as the Secretary for the National Commission for Backward Classes, succeeding Rajeev Ranjan (IAS:1989:MP) upon his retirement on December 31, 2023. He currently holds the position of Special Secretary & Financial Advisor at the Ministry of Power.
Katikithala Srinivas (IAS:1989:GJ) has been appointed as the Secretary for the Ministry of Minority Affairs, transitioning from his role as Director at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie.
Vivek Bhardwaj (IAS:1990:WB), who currently serves as the Secretary for the Ministry of Mines, has been laterally reassigned to the Ministry of Panchayati Raj as an Officer on Special Duty (OSD). Bhardwaj will subsequently assume the role of Secretary upon the retirement of Sunil Kumar (IAS:1987:UP) on October 31, 2023.
Gudey Srinivas (IAS:1990:OR), the current Secretary for the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, has been laterally shifted to the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, where he will assume the role of Secretary.
Arunish Chawla (IAS:1992:BH), within the cadre, has been appointed as OSD in the Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Chemicals, effective November 1, 2023. Chawla will succeed S. Aparna (IAS:1988:GJ) upon her retirement on October 31, 2023.
Chanchal Kumar (IAS:1992:BH), who presently serves as OSD in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, has been laterally shifted to the role of Secretary for the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, succeeding Lok Ranjan (IAS:1989:TR). An earlier order to appoint Chanchal Kumar as Secretary for the Ministry of Civil Aviation, replacing Rajiv Bansal (IAS:1988:NL) upon his retirement on August 31, 2023, has been modified.
Neeraj Mittal (IAS:1992:TN), currently within the cadre, has been appointed as the Secretary for the Department of Telecommunications.
Sriram Taranikanti (IAS:1992:TR) has been named the Director of the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, with the rank and pay of Secretary to the Government of India. He succeeds Katikithala Srinivas and presently serves as the Additional Secretary & Financial Advisor (AS&FA) in the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Shashi Ranjan Kumar (IAS:1992:TR) has been designated as the Secretary for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), with the rank and pay of Union Secretary. This elevation involves the temporary upgrading of the post, replacing Ms. Vasudha Mishra (Retd.IAS:1987:TG). Presently, Ranjan serves as the Additional Secretary & Financial Advisor (AS&FA) in the Ministry of Textiles.
Nidhi Khare (IAS:1992:JH) has been promoted in-situ to the role of Special Secretary in the Department of Consumer Affairs as a personal measure. She will take on the role of Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Department of Land Resources (DoLR) from December 1, 2023, and subsequently assume the role of Secretary for DoLR upon the retirement of Ajay Tirkey (IAS: 1987: MP) on December 31, 2023. Presently, she holds the position of Additional Secretary in the Department of Consumer Affairs.
Vumlunmang Vualnam (IAS:1992:MN) has been appointed as the Secretary for the Ministry of Civil Aviation, succeeding Rajiv Bansal upon his retirement on August 31, 2023. He currently serves as the Additional Secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs.
V L Kantha Rao (IAS:1992:MP) has been named the Secretary for the Ministry of Mines, succeeding Vivek Bhardwaj. Currently, he holds the position of Additional Secretary in the Department of Telecommunications.
Lok Ranjan (IAS:1989:TR), the current Secretary for the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, has been appointed as the Administrative Member for the Central Administrative Tribunal.
Sanjay Rastogi (IAS:1991:OR), the Additional Secretary & Financial Advisor (AS&FA) in the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, has been laterally shifted to the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, succeeding Manoj Sethi (ICAS: 1993) through temporarily upgrading the post to Additional Secretary level.
Additionally, three senior IAS officers were elevated (in-situ) to the rank and pay of Secretary to the Government of India through a temporary upgrade of their current posts. These officers are:
Rajendra Kumar (IAS:1992:TN), who currently serves as the Director General of the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC).
Rakesh Ranjan (IAS:1992:MN), the Additional Secretary in the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
Neelam Shammi Rao (IAS:1992:MP), the Central Provident Fund Commissioner at the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) under the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
Sanjay Swarup, who presently serves as the Director (IM&O) at Container Corporation of India Limited (CONCOR), has been selected as the incoming Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of CONCOR. This transition will see him taking over from the current CMD, V Kalyana Rama, who is scheduled to step down from his role on September 30. The decision to appoint Mr. Swarup is a result of the recommendation made by the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) on June 7, following their evaluation of 8 candidates for the CMD position.
An official order, dated August 30, 2023, released by the Railway Board, confirms that the competent authority has endorsed Mr. Swarup’s appointment. His assumption of the new role is slated for October 1, 2023, and his tenure will continue until either July 31, 2026 (his superannuation date), or until further instructions are issued, depending on whichever comes earlier.
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