Inside The Secretariat: IPO Bet, CM Depts’ Sweat, And A Collector’s Rare Check

India Eyes IPO Breakthrough At GIFT City

India’s dream of building a global financial powerhouse just got a fresh push. With Sanjay Kaul, a Kerala cadre IAS officer, stepping in as the new MD and CEO of GIFT City for a two-year tenure, the stage is set for a critical next step—allowing unlisted firms to raise capital directly through IPOs. His entry comes as the City explores new tools to attract startups and mid-size companies. Early groundwork has already begun, with at least six companies lining up for listings worth US $10-15 million. The move follows the IFSCA’s 2023 approval of the direct listing framework and aligns with the City’s broader ambition to match global financial centres.

Kaul succeeds Tapan Ray, a retired IAS officer from Gujarat, who helmed the project for six years. The project would be guided by Dr. Hasmukh Adhia, the Chief Minister’s Chief Advisor and Chairman of GIFT City.

Lokayukta Exit Not Yet Followed By Entry

Justice R.H. Shukla wuietly wrapped up his term as Gujarat’s Lokayukta on June 23. It marked the end of a fiver-year tenure in a role meant to serve as a check against corruption and abuse of power, even at the highest levels. Now, nearly a month later, the post remains vacant and the silence is beginning to feel loud. While the state government has started considering names, the wait for an official announcement continues. Since its creation in 1986, the Lokayukta Act has been clear: to hold public servants—from ministers to Babus—accountable. It is a powerful institution that has the authority to investigate even the Chief Minister. Shukla, a retired judge of the Gujarat High Court, was the fifth to shoulder that responsibility, following in the footsteps of Justices D.H. Shukla, I.C. Bhatt, S.M. Soni and D.P. Buch. Who comes next and when is a question still hanging in the air. 

CM’s Key Depts Face Heat Over Complaints

A string of administrative lapses flagged by citizens and internal reviews has led to a fresh surge of urgency in the state Secretariat. Senior officials are now working to clear out long-pending files. The push is especially significant in departments under the Chief Minister’s watch—Revenue, Urban Development, and Roads & Buildings. All of these are grappling with a backlog running into thousands. The Revenue department has begun issuing updated instructions to local administrations on a variety of key areas including iORA, e-Sarkar, AO-3, iRCMS, RIC PARA, land grabbing, re-survey, Swamitva, and Digital Gujarat. Likewise, Urban Development officials are actively working to clear old files, and R&B engineers are compiling a list of substandard government structures across the state. However, staff shortages continue to hamper momentum with many officers in both the Secretariat and districts handling additional portfolios.

IAS Officer Breaks Rank, Fines NHAI Officer

Breaking new ground in the state, a District Collector has invoked road safety law to fine a central government officer. Arpit Sagar, the District Collector of Mahisagar and a 2015-batch IAS officer, imposed a ₹10,000 penalty on a Project Manager-level officer with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for violating directives issued by the District Road Safety Committee. The order, under Section 15(1) of the Road Safety Act, 2018, came after 17 fatal accidents were recorded on a narrow 6–7 km stretch in the district over five years. Sagar also instructed NHAI’s state Chief General Manager to comply and provide supporting documents. Sagar, originally from Bareilly, has earlier worked as Deputy Municipal Commissioner in Vadodara.

28-Officer Team To Drive GARC Reforms

In a quiet but significant move, the General Administration Department (GAD) has begun reaching out to various departments to put together a panel of officers who will help implement the recommendations of the Gujarat Administrative Reforms Commission (GARC). Those selected will continue with their regular duty while also taking on this new role, which involves coordinating with CM Fellows, consultants, and the commission’s knowledge partner. From planning reforms to attending workshops and keeping an eye on ongoing schemes, the job will require hands-on involvement. But with no financial incentive attached, a few officers are said to be keeping their distance, hoping to avoid being chosen.