The central deputation tenure of Binay Kumar Jha (IRSME:1998), who holds the position of Director in the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, has been extended for a span of two years. As per an order declared by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Tuesday (August 29, 2023), the Appointment Committee of the Cabinet has sanctioned the request made by the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs to extend Mr. Jha’s deputation period by two years beyond October 30, 2023, until October 30, 2025 (which constitutes a maximum of seven years away from the cadre), or until alternative directives are given—whichever transpires earlier.
Alex V F Paul Menon V gets addl. charge of Development Commissioner for MEPZ SEZ in Chennai
Alex V F Paul Menon V (IAS:2006:CG), who currently serves as the Joint Development Commissioner of MEPZ SEZ in Chennai, has been assigned the additional responsibility of Development Commissioner (JS level) for MEPZ SEZ in Chennai. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) issued an official order on Tuesday (August 29, 2023), revealing that the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has endorsed the Department of Commerce’s proposition to confer this supplementary role upon Mr. Menon V. This additional charge is effective from January 20, 2023, until January 19, 2024, or until the post is occupied by a regular appointee, or until further directives are issued—whichever comes first.
Additional DGFT Satish Kumar gets addl. charge of Development Commissioner of Falta SEZ in Kolkata
The central government on Tuesday (29.08.2023) granted retrospective approval for assigning additional responsibilities as the Development Commissioner of Falta SEZ in Kolkata to Satish Kumar (ITS:1989), who also holds the position of Additional DGFT. This responsibility was undertaken from October 6, 2022, until July 5, 2023, as indicated in the official order from the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).
As per a subsequent directive, the government has decided to further extend the assignment of additional responsibilities as the Development Commissioner of Falta SEZ, Kolkata to Mr. Kumar. This extension is effective for an additional six months, starting from July 6, 2023, until December 31, 2023, or until the regular appointment to the post is made, or until alternate orders are issued, depending on whichever event comes first.
Priya Ranjan to continue as MD of National Horticulture Board
Priya Ranjan (IFoS:1998:RJ), the Joint Secretary in the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, has been authorized to continue serving in the additional role of Managing Director (MD) for the National Horticulture Board (NHB) for an additional duration of three months. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) issued an official order on Tuesday (August 29, 2023) stating that the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has sanctioned the extension of this supplementary responsibility. This extension is effective from June 23, 2023, and will persist until either a permanent appointment is made to the position or further instructions are provided, depending on whichever event takes place earlier.
Govt grants Navratna status to RCF
The central government has granted approval for the conferral of Navratna status upon Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers Limited (RCF). In an announcement made on Tuesday, RCF revealed that the Department of Public Enterprise (DPE) operating under the Ministry of Finance has officially bestowed upon them the Navratna Status.
The powers’ delegation, the exercise of Navratna powers by RCF’s Board, and the evaluation of performance related to RCF’s Navratna status will be governed by established guidelines and any subsequent amendments in this regard. The Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Department of Fertilizers, recommended the granting of Navratna status to RCF on February 9, 2023.
In response to this development, shares of the government-owned fertilizers manufacturer Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers (RCF) experienced a substantial surge of 6.79%, reaching Rs 130.40 per share on Tuesday. This remarkable increase in share value was attributed to the government’s decision to bestow ‘Navratna’ status upon the company.
Maharashtra: IPS officer Saurabh Tripathi posted as DCP in SID
IPS officer Saurabh Tripathi (IPS:2010:MH), who was reinstated by the Maharashtra government following his suspension in connection with an extortion case, has now been appointed as the deputy commissioner of police within the State Intelligence Department (SID). The state’s home department issued an order regarding Tripathi’s new role on Monday.
Tripathi’s reinstatement into the police force occurred in June, more than a year after he was suspended due to alleged involvement in an extortion case concerning ‘angadias’—traditional couriers.
The state’s Suspension Review Committee made the decision to revoke Tripathi’s suspension.
The IPS officer had been suspended during his tenure as deputy commissioner of police for Mumbai’s Zone-II. This action followed an extortion complaint filed by an angadia at the LT Marg police station in February of the preceding year. During that time, an inspector, assistant inspector, and sub-inspector stationed at LT Marg police station were arrested in connection with the case. Tripathi’s suspension, pending a departmental inquiry, was implemented in March 2022.
J&K: IAS officer takes complaint to NCSC against LG and CS
IAS officer Ashok Kumar Parmar (IAS:1992:AGMUT) has filed a complaint with the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) against Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Secretary Arun Mehta (IAS:1988:J&K), accusing them of subjecting him to harassment and humiliation. Parmar, who had raised concerns about irregularities in the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission in Jammu and Kashmir, alleged that he was repeatedly transferred due to his scheduled caste status and his role in exposing issues with the mission.
In his detailed complaint dated 17 August, Parmar revealed instances of mistreatment, including being thrown out of meetings by the LG and Chief Secretary. He pointed out that these actions were likely motivated by prejudice against his scheduled caste background and his efforts to expose flaws in the Jal Jeevan Mission. He also mentioned his correspondence with various authorities, including the Prime Minister’s Office, Home Ministry, and Ministry of Jal Shakti, regarding the inaccurate reporting of implementation figures for the mission.
Geetika Srivastava set to assume role of chargé d’affaires at Indian high commission in Islamabad
Geetika Srivastava (IFS:2005), a woman diplomat, is set to become the first women chargé d’affaires at the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, according to sources on Monday. She will take over after the term of the current CdA Suresh Kumar ends.
Since 2019, middle-level diplomats have been appointed as chargé d’affaires due to the absence of a full-time high commissioner in Islamabad. The last Indian high commissioner, Ajay Bisaria (IFS:1987), was expelled in 2019 as part of diplomatic tensions when Pakistan downgraded ties after India’s revocation of special status to Jammu and Kashmir. India reciprocated by expelling the Pakistani envoy.
Currently serving as the Joint Secretary of the Indo-Pacific desk in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Srivastava oversees India’s multilateral diplomacy with ASEAN, IORA, and other nations.
On the other side, Pakistan has named Saad Warraich, the Director General for Afghanistan, Turkey, and Iran at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as their chargé d’affaires to India.
Mridul Kumar concurrently accredited as next Ambassador of India to Liechtenstein
Mridul Kumar (IFS:1992) has been concurrently accredited as the next Ambassador of India to the Principality of Liechtenstein. Presently, he is serving as Ambassador of India to Switzerland and is expected to take up the assignment shortly.
Anita Praveen gets addl. charge of Secretary, Ministry of Tourism
Anita Praveen (IAS:1989:TN), currently serving as the Secretary in the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, has been entrusted with the additional responsibility of Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) issued an order on August 25, 2023, confirming the assignment. The decision was made by the competent authority to appoint Ms. Praveen to the additional post from August 26, 2023, until September 6, 2023, due to the leave of absence taken by Ms. V Vidyapathi (IAS:1991:KN).
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