Inside The Secretariat: Gujarat’s Next Chief Secretary, Chintan Shibir, And New Industrial Policy

Sardar, CS, and State Secrets

The last week of October has gained added significance in Gujarat as it will see a key decision regarding the state’s top bureaucrat—the Chief Secretary. Bureaucracy is keenly watching whether Pankaj Joshi will receive an extension or if a new name will crop up. Coinciding with this, October 31 will mark the national celebration of Sardar Patel’s birth anniversary at the Statue of Unity in Kevadia. Over 100 VIPs are expected to attend the event. During this period, the government is also tasked with appointing a new Vigilance Commissioner. 

When the Secretariat reopens on the Monday following the eight-day Diwali break, discussions are expected to revolve primarily around Sardar Patel and the Chief Secretary. At the same time, indications point to major changes in the state’s administrative and police departments. Newly sworn-in cabinet members will begin managing their offices in the last week of October, increasing the activity at the Swarnim Sankul. Following recent cabinet changes, administrative reshuffles are also anticipated.

IPS Officer To Be On Leave On Last Working Day

IPS officer Abhay Chudasama, known for his distinct image in the Gujarat Police, will retire at the end of October, while still on leave. Chudasama had submitted his voluntary resignation in February this year, but the state government did not accept it. During his posting at the Karai Police Training School, he unexpectedly tendered his resignation. Before that, he had served for several years as Inspector General (IG) of Gandhinagar Range. Although his resignation was not accepted, he remained on long leave. Now, after this extended absence, he will officially retire on October 31, which coincides with his leave period. Chudasama has publicly stated, “I will never join politics. My desire is to work in the field of education and social development.”

Valsad Hosts Ministers & Bureaucrats for ‘Chintan Shibir’

The Gujarat government’s 12th Chintan Shibir (brainstorming retreat) will be held from November 13 to 15 at Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram in Valsad. The three-day session will focus on key themes such as nutrition and public health, growth in the service sector, capacity building, public safety, green energy, and environmental sustainability. Notably, while the government has organised 11 such retreats in the past, none discussed measures to curb corruption, which remains one of the biggest obstacles to the state’s development. Despite laws failing to ensure strict punishment for offenders, neither political leaders nor the bureaucracy has taken a firm stand on the issue. Observers point out that although the Chintan Shibir sessions produce detailed documents after extensive discussions, implementation of those recommendations has often lagged. Typically, these retreats are attended by Cabinet ministers, heads of various government departments and public enterprises, as well as district collectors and district development officers. Last year’s session focused on topics such as employment generation, income growth at the rural level, saturation approach in government schemes, and the role of local bodies in tourism development. However, over the past year, little progress was registered in these areas.

Two IAS Officers Shoulder CWG Duties in New Year

With Ahmedabad selected to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games (CWG), the responsibilities of key officials in the Sports, Youth, and Cultural Activities Department are set to expand significantly. The department, which is already engaged in preparations for both the Commonwealth Games 2030 and the proposed Olympic Games 2036, will see heightened coordination efforts in the coming years. Principal Secretary of the Department Ashwini Kumar and Director General of the Sports Authority of Gujarat Sandeep Sangle will continue to oversee operations related to both international sporting events, as long as they serve in their current roles. The last Commonwealth Games was held in England in 2022, featuring 20 sports and 283 events. The 2026 edition is scheduled to take place in Scotland. So far, India has won a total of 564 medals at the Games — including 203 gold, 190 silver, and 171 bronze. In Gujarat, major venues such as the Sardar Patel Sports Enclave in Motera, the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex, and the proposed sports complex at Karai, along with 45 other facilities across the state, will be utilised. Over 5,000 athletes from 72 countries are expected to participate in more than 200 events across 20 sports.

After 20 Years, RTI Struggles for Full Transparency!

Since the implementation of the Right to Information (RTI) Act in Gujarat, a total of 21.29 lakh applications have been filed over the past 20 years, with 58% pertaining to the Education, Home, and Revenue Departments. According to a research report by an NGO, penalties amounting to ₹1.14 crore have been imposed on 1,284 Public Information Officers (PIOs) for failing to provide timely information, while 74 PIOs have faced disciplinary action. An audit conducted under the RTI provisions revealed that among 26 state departments, only 35% of government websites had updated data, 38% displayed outdated information, and 19% lacked key guidelines and budget records — indicating a clear shortfall in digital transparency. The Gujarat State Information Commission has recorded a total of 1.37 lakh pending appeals. The data also highlights a disturbing trend: 18 RTI activists in the state have lost their lives in the pursuit of information. Observers note that after two decades, Gujarat’s RTI journey stands at a crossroads — between empowerment and erosion. Unless governance moves beyond paperwork to genuine implementation, the promise of transparency will remain buried beneath official files.

Gujarat’s New Industrial Policy Brings Major Shift

As the drafting of the new industrial policy progresses, indications suggest several significant changes. The current policy, which expired in August, has been extended by the Industries and Mines Department until December 2026. Alongside this extension, the upcoming policy will introduce several new sectors. According to senior department officials, the proposed policy will include incentives for semiconductor, green hydrogen, fintech, and renewable energy industries, as well as the service sector. The state government has constituted 12 special task forces for policy formulation, covering areas such as MSME development, environmental protection, pollution control, revival of sick units, and ease of doing business. The policy, expected to be announced next year, will focus on major reforms, including land regulations, construction permissions, amendments in industrial laws, management of water and mineral resources, transparency in GST, digitalisation, and collaboration with local institutions. Notably, the state government is currently organising Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conferences (VGRC) under the existing industrial policy. One such event has already concluded in Mehsana, while the next will be held for Kutch and Saurashtra regions on January 8 and 9, 2026.

Race Heats Up for Vigilance Commissioner’s Post

The Gujarat Government has initiated the process of appointing a new officer to head the Gujarat Vigilance Commission (GVC), as the current Vigilance Commissioner, Sangeeta Singh, is set to retire on October 31. Among the names under consideration are three recently retired IAS officers — Raj Kumar, J.P. Gupta, and Kamal Dayani. Sangeeta Singh, a 1986-batch IAS officer, retired as Additional Chief Secretary in the Home Department and was appointed as Vigilance Commissioner on October 31, 2020. Her five-year tenure is now coming to an end. By convention, the Gujarat Vigilance Commission enjoys the same degree of independence as the Gujarat Public Service Commission (GPSC) and is not subordinate to any department of the State Government in the exercise of its powers and functions. However, for administrative purposes, it is attached to the Home Department.