Inside The Secretariat: Graft, GIFT City, Reshuffles

Bureaucratic Churn to Tackle Corruption

The Gujarat government is going hard on internal corruption by reshuffling long-serving officers across major departments. Over 1,000 transfers have already taken place in the Revenue, Home and Education departments. Now, the reshuffle bug is set to bite Panchayat, Finance, Urban Development, Roads & Buildings, and Industries — all departments where officers have remained entrenched for years.

The recent arrest of Dinesh Parmar, a retired senior officer in the Health Department rehired on contract, has added urgency to the drive. Caught allegedly demanding a Rs 30 lakh bribe, Parmar’s case has brought renewed scrutiny to the department.

A senior official candidly noted, “When officers stay on the same desk for years, they build a circle of influence that becomes fertile ground for corruption. Transfers based on performance and tenure are key to breaking that circle.”

Gujarat’s Tipple Exception at GIFT City

GIFT City, Gujarat’s international finance and tech hub, is enjoying a quiet revolution — in the form of legal liquor sales. Though Gujarat remains a dry state, a special SOP allows GIFT City workers and out-of-state visitors to consume alcohol legally.

Initially, the move failed to gain momentum due to high taxes. But with the recent tax rationalisation, business is booming.

Two hotels in GIFT City alone sold over 3,400 bottles of foreign liquor and nearly 20,000 beers last year. Permit-holders are primarily finance professionals and visiting executives. Statewide, 30 hotels are licensed to sell alcohol under controlled conditions, with more than 50,000 individuals holding permits. In a state known for its teetotaler policies, GIFT City is now quietly pouring — and profiting.

IPS Transfers Spark Buzz & Speculation

Two IPS transfers have set tongues wagging within the corridors of the Home Department. Korukonda Siddharth, a 2020-batch officer and former ADC to the Governor, has been appointed to the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), replacing Vikas Sunda.

Interestingly, Sunda too held the ADC post before Siddharth, who is reportedly related to a former Andhra Pradesh Cabinet Minister.

Adding to the intrigue, Ahmedabad Zone-1 DCP Balram Meena was abruptly reassigned as the new ADC to the Governor, just four months after his posting. His predecessor, Himanshu Verma, had a short stint, moving to CID (Crime) shortly after his appointment. The back-to-back changes have prompted speculation about political pressure, internal turf battles, or a rethink on strategic postings.

GST Dept Shaken & Stirred By Bogus Input Tax Credit Scam

The aftershocks of the massive bogus Input Tax Credit scam are still rippling through the State Tax Department. Under the leadership of Rajiv Topno — a 1996-batch IAS officer recently back from central deputation — the department has seen over 230 officers shuffled in less than a year. This includes 171 officials moved last July, and another 69 (including 56 inspectors) in the latest round.

Topno’s task is clear but challenging: Clean up a department long plagued by collusion between rogue traders and compromised officials. The scam, which involved fake firms claiming illegitimate tax credits, exposed deep loopholes in the system. Transfers are now being used strategically — not just to punish, but to disrupt longstanding nexuses and bring in cleaner governance.

‘Catch the Rain’ Campaign Aims To Quench Gujarat’s Thirst

With drinking water scarcity becoming a major issue in parts of the state, the Gujarat government has amped up its “Catch the Rain” initiative. The campaign focuses on reviving local water bodies, creating recharge wells, and mandating rainwater harvesting in both urban and rural areas.

As part of the drive, the MLA Local Area Development Fund (MLA-LAD) has been raised from Rs 1 crore to Rs 2.5 crore — with Rs 50 lakh now earmarked exclusively for water conservation efforts. MPs are being roped in too. Gujarat’s 182 MLAs now have a collective annual spend of Rs 145.5 crore, while its MPs control Rs 185 crore in development funds. Officials hope this funding shift will trigger a ripple effect in community-led water initiatives.

When A Traffic Cop Stopped An IAS Officer’s Wife

In what could have been a bureaucratic clash, a traffic constable in Gandhinagar stopped the wife of a senior IAS officer for violating traffic rules. When she called her husband for help, the officer defused the situation with surprising humility. “I’ve been married for 30 years, brother. You can’t win arguments with wives,” he said. “If there’s a violation, please fine her. I need peace at home too.”

The officer’s response impressed the constable, who ended up letting the lady go without a fine. Eyewitnesses say the wife allegedly flashed her ID in an attempt to intimidate the cop. But it was the husband’s honesty — and sense of humor — that won the day.

M K Das Wins Security Forces' Confidence

A critical meeting between Gujarat’s Home Department and top officials from the BSF and the IAF has resulted in some long-overdue resolutions. The focus was on land disputes across Kutch, Jamnagar, and Gandhinagar — areas where infrastructure development for defence forces had been delayed.

Additional Chief Secretary (Home) M K Das, known for his detail-oriented preparations, had already reviewed ground reports and ensured swift decisions during the meeting. All key agenda items — from land titles to essential services — were resolved. Officers present praised Das for cutting through red tape, with one commenting, “It’s rare to see so many issues get cleared in one go.”

(with inputs from Gautam Purohit and Sanjay Vibhakar)