Govt’s Treasury Offices Stuck In 1990s

While most departments of the Gujarat government have transitioned to digital systems, the Directorate of Accounts and Treasuries (DA&T) under the Finance Department appears to be operating in a bygone era. The office is still largely dependent on outdated, file-based procedures reminiscent of the 1990s. Persistent issues related to pay scales and financial processing continue to plague the department. Even minor clerical errors result in files being returned, causing repeated delays.

As a result, claims against the government are not settled promptly, and employees are forced to run from pillar to post for their retirement benefits. Officials and staff complain that their files move at a painfully slow pace, adding to frustration across departments. The DA&T oversees a vast network comprising 33 District Treasury Offices, 121 Sub-Treasury Offices, two Pay and Accounts Offices, five Pension Payment Offices, and one e-Pay and Accounts Office. Exasperated applicants often joke that while the government treasury is full, funds never seem to be released quickly.

Litigation Lapses Leave ₹67,407 Crore Uncollected

Industrial groups and traders operating in Gujarat continue to avail themselves of government schemes and incentives, but often fall short when it comes to paying taxes due to the state. In many cases, outstanding tax amounts are dragged into prolonged disputes, delaying recovery. According to official figures from the Finance Department, the government is yet to recover a staggering ₹67,407 crore in various categories of pending taxes from such entities. Alarmingly, tax dues worth ₹32,688 crore have been pushed into litigation by certain units. Of the remaining ₹34,720 crore, no stringent recovery action has been effectively taken so far.

A significant concern is that nearly ₹27,000 crore of the pending amount has been outstanding for more than 10 years. Despite repeated directives to strengthen tax recovery, tax department officials have seen limited success. Several companies that benefited from government incentives have since shut down, while others have declared insolvency, making recovery virtually impossible. As a result, the stock of unpaid taxes continues to rise sharply year after year, posing a serious challenge to the state’s revenue administration.

End To ‘Waiting For Posting’ For Police Officers

There are strong indications that the long wait for postings may soon end for IPS and police officers in the state Home Department who have been kept in a “waiting for posting” status after their promotions. After months of uncertainty, the government is now expected to issue fresh appointments. More than a dozen IPS officers have been without postings for several months. Similarly, officers promoted from PSI to PI have continued to remain without field assignments, despite their promotions.

With the possibility of elections to local self-government bodies being announced at any time, discussions in the Secretariat have gained momentum that the state government may soon assign new postings to officers currently without charge. Notably, senior IPS officer Shamsher Singh, who returned from central deputation in January, is still awaiting a posting even as his retirement draws near. With his superannuation scheduled for March 31, it now appears likely that he may receive an assignment only in the final month before retirement. Despite his seniority, the officer could not be appointed as the state’s DGP.

Bharathi Faces Crucial Test At Global Semi-connect

As Gujarat prepares to host the Global Semiconductor Conference on March 1 in the presence of Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, the spotlight will be firmly on P. Bharathi, Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DST). The high-profile event is being seen as a key test of her leadership and administrative acumen. P. Bharathi took charge of the DST in August last year following the transfer of Mona Khandhar. Before this appointment, she served as Gujarat’s Chief Electoral Officer. A 2005-batch officer, Bharathi holds a first-class degree in Computer Engineering, is a qualified LLB, and has also earned a Master’s degree in Public Policy.

She is known for her strong grasp of policy- and technology-driven transformation. The global conference will see participation from delegates of multiple countries, leading industrialists, and heads of multinational corporations, making it a significant international platform for the state. Her predecessor had built a reputation for delivering strong performances at global summits and conferences. With expectations running high, both the Secretariat and the DST are closely watching how P. Bharathi shapes her role and manages this marquee event.

10 Gujarat Residents Qualify For IFS Personality Test

Gujarat is no longer making its mark only in the IAS and IPS—Indian Forest Service (IFS) aspirants from the state are also posting strong performances. In the UPSC Indian Forest Service Main Examination, 35 candidates from Gujarat appeared out of a total 2,116 candidates nationwide. With the declaration of results, 372 candidates across India have qualified for the Personality Test stage. Notably, 10 of them are from Gujarat.

These candidates had prepared for the examination at the Sardar Patel Institute of Public Administration (SPIPA). SPIPA will now launch special training classes for candidates who have qualified for the UPSC Personality Test. This will include Gujarat domicile candidates as well as non-domicile candidates who are currently studying or working in Gujarat. The training will feature mock interviews conducted by a committee of experienced and expert IAS, IPS, and IFS officers, aimed at sharpening candidates’ performance for the final selection stage.

Senior Cadres In Short Supply

Although recruitment calendars are routinely prepared to fill vacant government posts, delays in their timely implementation have resulted in a large number of key positions remaining unfilled across departments. The pace of fresh recruitment has failed to keep up with retirements, leading to serious staffing gaps in government offices. According to official figures from the General Administration Department, out of a combined total of 48,000 sanctioned posts in Class I and Class II, around 17,000 positions are currently vacant. As per the recruitment calendar, the GAD issued appointment letters to about 30,000 employees last year.

Ironically, the Gujarat Public Service Commission (GPSC)—the very agency responsible for government recruitment—is itself struggling due to a shortage of staff, adversely affecting its functioning. Of the seven sanctioned member posts in the Commission, only one member is presently in position, while six posts remain vacant. Adding to the concern, the Commission initiated the recruitment process for 306 vacancies nearly two years ago, but the examination results are yet to be declared, further delaying appointments and exacerbating the manpower crunch.

Family Of Cops

In a remarkable story from central Gujarat, an entire family from the small village of Kavath has dedicated itself to the police force. Manubhai Parmar, posted at the Bhalej Police Station in Anand district, has set an inspiring example of service and commitment that now runs through his whole family. While Manubhai continues his duties in the police, his son Deepak serves alongside him at the same police station. Adding to this legacy, his two daughters—Tamanna and Sheetal—have also joined the police force.

Sheetal’s journey is particularly inspiring: she narrowly missed selection in 2023 by just four marks. Undeterred, she persevered, reappeared for the examination, and succeeded on her second attempt. The Parmar family’s story underscores a powerful message—that a job in the police is earned through determination and hard work, not by favour. While stories from states like Uttar Pradesh or Bihar often highlight families producing multiple IAS or IPS officers through UPSC, Gujarat now has its own example of a family where every member serves in the police force, standing together in uniform and in service of the public.

Teachers Spared From Non-Teaching Duties

Responding to sustained representations by various teachers’ unions and associations, the state Education Department has been compelled to issue clear instructions that teachers will not be assigned duties unrelated to teaching, so that students’ education in schools is not adversely affected. The decision follows strong opposition to proposals such as assigning teachers work related to dog population census and other non-academic tasks. The Primary Education Director has stated that, in order to ensure that teachers’ core academic responsibilities are not disrupted and students’ learning does not suffer, the Supreme Court’s directions must be strictly implemented. Accordingly, teachers cannot be compelled to perform non-teaching duties without their consent. However, the instructions clarify that exceptions may be made only for duties considered essential in the national interest.