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Odisha: Retired IAS officer Pradeep Kumar Jena sworn in as OERC Chairman

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Retired IAS officer Pradeep Kumar Jena (IAS:1989:OR) was on Tuesday (08.04.2025) officially assumed charge as Chairman of the Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC). The swearing-in ceremony was held at Raj Bhavan, where Odisha Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati administered the oath of office and secrecy.

Jena’s appointment to the post was notified by the state government on March 28, 2025, under the provisions of the Electricity Act, 2023.

A seasoned bureaucrat, Jena has held several key positions in the Odisha Government, most notably serving as Chief Secretary of the state. He took charge of Chief Secretary on March 1, 2023, a day after his predecessor Suresh Chandra Mahapatra (IAS:1986:OR) retired on February 28, 2023. Jena remained in the post until June 30, 2024, including a six-month extension from January 1 to June 30, 2024. He was succeeded by Manoj Ahuja, who took charge on July 1, 2024.

Prior to his elevation as Chief Secretary, Jena served as Development Commissioner, the second-highest position in the state’s bureaucratic setup.

Former IPS officer Shivdeep Lande launches ‘Hind Sena’, to contest Bihar assembly polls

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Former IPS officer Shivdeep Lande

As widely speculated, former IPS officer Shivdeep Wamanrao Lande (IPS:2006:BH) has made his political debut in Bihar. On April 8, Lande formally announced the launch of his political outfit, Hind Sena, which will contest the upcoming assembly elections scheduled for October-November this year.

Addressing a press conference in Patna, Lande said the newly formed party would field candidates across all 243 assembly constituencies in the state. He stated that Hind Sena would work on the principles of nationalism, social service, and devotion.

Lande had resigned from the Indian Police Service on September 22, 2024, while serving as Inspector General (IG) in Purnea. Following his resignation, he had repeatedly indicated his desire to remain in Bihar and serve its people, fuelling speculation about his political entry. Many believed he would join the Prashant Kishor-led Jan Suraj party. However, his decision to float a separate party came as a surprise to political observers.

Known for his integrity and commitment to public service, Shivdeep Lande rose to prominence during his tenure as City SP in Patna, where he became a symbol of safety for women and girls facing harassment. His crackdown on the stone-crushing mafia in Rohtas and anti-drug operations in Araria added to his reputation. His efforts against Maoists and illegal arms trade during his stint in Munger also earned him wide acclaim.

With the formation of Hind Sena, Lande’s transition from a celebrated police officer to a political leader sets the stage for a new chapter in Bihar politics.

Also Read: Bihar: IPS Shivdeep Lande’s resignation accepted

Also Read: Bihar: IPS Officer Shivdeep Wamanrao Lande resigns from service

SC Collegium’s interview system makes HC judgeship tougher for lawyers

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High Court

Becoming a constitutional court judge for lawyers is now not as easy as it was about three decades ago. There was a time when mere recommendation by the High Court collegium to the three-member Supreme Court collegium led by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) was almost a guarantee to become a HC judge. It is becoming tougher now.

The main reason behind it is the introduction of personal interaction (interview) of the candidates recommended by HC collegia. This system was started by CJI Justice Sanjiv Khanna in consultation with justices B R Gavai and Surya Kant. The idea was to determine the suitability of candidates for judgeship in a constitutional court. It has led to a drastic drop in the success rate of recommended lawyer-candidates from a about 90 percent to less than 50 percent in past few months.

This move was devised given the increasing number of controversies created by some shocking judgments by HC judges and the issue of corruption.

This move by the SC collegiums is now having telling effect. As many as 101 names were recommended by collegia of 12 HCs – Andhra Pradesh, Allahabad, Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi, Gujarat, Manipur, Orissa, Patna, Rajasthan, Telangana and Uttarakhand. But the SC collegium went on to patiently interview all of them and only 49 of them were found suitable for appointment as judges of the HC.

NHA Dy Secretary Akshay Jain repatriated to parent cadre

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Dr. Akshay Jain (IRS-IT:2011), currently serving as Deputy Secretary in the National Health Authority (NHA) under the M/o Health & Family Welfare, has been prematurely repatriated to his parent cadre. According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Tuesday (08.04.2025), the competent authority has approved the proposal of National Health Authority for premature repatriation of Mr Jain to his parent cadre on personal grounds with provision of extended cooling off.

Kamesh Kasana selected as Director (Other Units), Bharat Electronics Limited

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Kamesh Kasana has been selected for appointment as Director (Other Units), Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) at a Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) meeting held on April 08, 2025. Presently, he is serving as General Manager, Military Communication, Bharat Electronics Limited.

He will be appointed to the post of Director (Other Units) after receiving vigilance clearances and approval from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.

The following 12 applicants were interviewed in the selection meeting:

  1. Anoop Kumar Rai, Chief Scientist, BEL
  2. Kappagantula Srinivas, General Manager & & Unit Head, BEL
  3. Giriraja Nandavaram, General Manager (DCCS), BEL
  4. Tribhuwan Narayana Singh, General Manager (Components SBU), Bengaluru, BEL
  5. Niti Pandit, General Manager Strategic Planning, Corporate Office, Bangalore, BEL
  6. Ramkumar B, General Manager Human Resources – Corporate Office, Bengaluru, BEL
  7. Manjula Devi N, General Manager Missile Systems Strategic Business Unit, BEL
  8. Dr. Chandana Vishwanadham, General Manager, BEL
  9. Srinivas Rao Pallinti, General Manager-International Marketing, BEL
  10. Sanjay Agarwal, General Manager, Central Services Corporate, BEL
  11. Kamesh Kasana, General Manager – Military Communication, BEL
  12. Ambrish Tripathi, General Manager (Unit Head of Kotdwara Unit), BEL

23 State Civil Service officers promoted to IAS cadre

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As many as 23 officers of the State Civil Service from the UT segment have been promoted to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) cadre. The President of India, on Tuesday (08.04.2025), approved the appointment of these officers against vacancies determined by the Government of India in consultation with the respective State Governments. These appointments pertain to the year-wise Select Lists from 2021 to 2024. The officers have been allocated to the Joint AGMUT cadre and will be on probation until further orders.

Select List of 2021 (SCS):

  1. Jitendra Kumar Jain
  2. Ravi Dadhich
  3. Gurpal Singh
  4. Ranjana Deswal
  5. Mohammad Ahsan Abid
  6. Priytarshny P

Select List of 2022 (SCS):

  1. Sanjeev Kumar
  2. Rajesh Kumar
  3. Satnam Singh
  4. Eda Raja Babu

Select List of 2023 (SCS):

  1. Rajesh Chopra
  2. Manish Garg
  3. Sonika Singh
  4. Sandeep Kumar Mishra
  5. Dr. Anil Agarwal
  6. Anil Banka

Select List of 2024 (SCS):

  1. YLN Reddy
  2. Mohamed Mansoor L
  3. Rudra Goud PT
  4. Raajesh Goyal
  5. Vivek Kumar Tripathi
  6. Shailendra Singh Parihar
  7. Vishwendra

Central govt remains evasive on merger of steel PSUs

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Murger of Steel PSUs
Murger of Steel PSUs

Despite the periodic posturing by the central government on the merger of steel PSUs, its stand remains evasive and non-committal.

The country has currently three public-sector companies – Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) and NMDC Steel Limited (NSL). RINL, the country’s premier Integrated Steel Plant, is struggling for survival. The Centre recently approved an equity infusion of Rs 11,440 crore capital in it but the merger seems to be the only solution of its woes.

So, the larger question being asked now is: is the government really planning to merge the three entities? But the pity is, the Modi government remains evasive on the question of merger.

The same question was recently asked in the Rajya Sabha but the government’s response only added to confusion. The Minister of State for Steel, Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma, prevaricated on the issue by saying, the Government undertakes periodic review of public sector undertakings (PSUs) and takes measures necessary to support them. He went to the extent of saying that merger of these entities is presently not under consideration.

The issue of merger has been lingering for a long time. Even last year, it was claimed that the steel ministry is “actively working” towards the merger of RINL with Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL), the largest government-owned steel producer as RINL, often called Vizag Steel, is seriously sick. But no headway has been made in this direction. The steel is a core sector and the central government needs to pre-empt this looming crisis, sooner the better.

Buzz over Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav’s replacement; Harpreet Sidhu likely to take charge

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Punjab

There is growing speculation around the replacement of incumbent Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav (IPS:1992:PB). If sources are to be believed, senior IPS officer Harpreet Sidhu (IPS:1992:PB) is likely to be appointed as the next State Police Chief.

Known for his strong stance against drug trafficking, Sidhu is expected to bring a decisive leadership style to the helm of Punjab Police, aligning with the Aam Aadmi Party’s efforts to project a clean and firm governance image amidst growing concerns over law and order.

Currently on his second central deputation with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Sidhu is posted in Guwahati. He has previously led Punjab’s Special Task Force (STF) against drugs and is widely respected for his investigative acumen. Prior to 2017, he also served with the CRPF in Naxalite-affected regions of Chhattisgarh.

Vikas Anand appointed Secretary to Delhi CM Rekha Gupta

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Vikas Anand IAS

In a move to strengthen the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), senior IAS officer Vikas Anand (IAS:2002:AGMUT) was on Monday (07.04.2025) appointed as Secretary to Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. Prior to this, he was serving on central deputation as CEO of the National Land Monetisation Corporation (NLMC) under the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE).

This marks the second key appointment to the CMO in recent weeks. On February 27, 2025, Madhu Rani Teotia (IAS:2008:AGMUT) was appointed Secretary to the Chief Minister, while Sandeep Kumar Singh (IAS:2011:AGMUT) and Ravi Jha (IAS:2011:AGMUT) were appointed Special Secretaries.

Anand, who will now be responsible for implementing the CM’s directives, is no stranger to Delhi governance. During the term of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, he served as Special Secretary (Education), contributing to reforms in government schools and implementing the state’s education policy—both flagship initiatives of the AAP.

From 2020 to 2023, he held the post of Additional CEO in the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), overseeing key projects related to water supply and sewage management. His tenure saw both progress and criticism, particularly during periods of water scarcity and rising pollution levels. He has also served as Special Secretary in the Home Department, where he coordinated closely with the Delhi Police.

SC collegium recommends Justice Arun Palli as Chief Justice of J&K and Ladakh HC

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Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court

The Supreme Court collegium has recommended the appointment of Justice Arun Palli, a Judge in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, as the Chief Justice of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh HC. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Collegium held on April 4, 2025.

The decision comes in view of current Chief Justice Tashi Rabtan’s retirement on April 9.

Click here to see Collegium Recommendation

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