Inside The Secretariat: Major Reshuffle, Civic Poll Observers, & PNG Connections

Three Orders Issued Despite Transfer to Delhi

Although 2001-batch Gujarat cadre IAS officer Aarti Kanwar was to be sent on deputation to Delhi, the state government issued three separate orders regarding her posting in recent days. Ultimately, she was relieved from the services of the Gujarat government and sent to Delhi. Last December, she had already been transferred from the post of Secretary, Finance Department (Economic Affairs) and posted as Chief Commissioner of State Tax, Ahmedabad. Earlier, the Election Commission of India had appointed her as an observer during the Assembly elections. Subsequently, the state government appointed her as the Administrator of Jamnagar Municipal Corporation. Not only that, she was also made District In-charge. Finally, when the Government of India deputed her to the Ministry of Textiles, the state government relieved her from state service. She has now assumed her new charge in New Delhi. Meanwhile, the vacant position she left in Gujarat has been given as additional charge to Additional Chief Secretary of the Finance Department, Dr. T. Natarajan.

Major reshuffle expected after local elections!

After the completion of local self-government body elections in Gujarat, large-scale changes are expected in the state as well as district administrative systems. Especially in places where officers are holding additional charge, regular postings are likely to be made. Officers who have been serving in the same place for three or more terms may be transferred. If the election results are as expected, the state government may give prime postings in district administration to Collectors, District Development Officers, and Municipal Commissioners. On the other hand, around two dozen IAS officers are currently deployed in election duties in other states. When they return at the end of April, the government is expected to carry out a bureaucratic reshuffle. This time, along with junior officers, senior officers are also likely to be transferred. At present, officers are waiting for May for new appointments.

IPS officers busy in election process

During the local body elections in Gujarat, if anyone is the busiest, it is the state’s IPS and police officers. They have additional responsibilities related to maintaining law and order. Recently, a high-level meeting of Police Commissioners and District Police Chiefs was held under the chairmanship of State Police Chief Dr. K.L.N. Rao. In the meeting, all units were instructed to take preventive action, register maximum PASA cases, and take strict action against long-absconding accused and history-sheeters. For this operation, ATS ADGP Amit Vishwakarma has been appointed as the nodal officer. Instructions have also been given to intensify combing operations in sensitive areas and keep special watch on illegal weapons and prohibition-related activities.

Avantika emphasises obtaining PNG connections!

After Additional Principal Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office Avantika Singh was transferred last December as Managing Director of Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation, she held a review meeting to ensure easy availability of petrol, diesel, and gas to people amid the war-like situation in the Middle East. In this meeting, she instructed officials to follow the guidelines of the central government. According to these guidelines, PNG connections should be given on priority, and a ₹500 discount has been announced for customers converting from LPG to PNG. After the central government appealed to consumers in areas where PNG connections are available to obtain connections within a fixed time frame, Avantika Singh’s responsibility has increased. Not only that, the new procedure for obtaining PNG connections has been simplified, and the earlier time limit of 45 days has been reduced to just seven days.

Forest head now also given additional charge

Recent transfers made by Gujarat’s Forest and Environment Department have sparked discussion in the Secretariat. Especially the sudden transfer of 1990-batch Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force Dr. Aniruddh Pratap Singh has raised suspicions that irregularities may have occurred in more than 300 local transfers carried out in the Forest Department some time ago. Although the government transferred him, he has been given what is considered a side posting as Managing Director of Gujarat Forest Development Corporation. Dr. Singh’s vacant position has been given as additional charge to Chief Wildlife Warden Dr. Jaypal Singh, whose deputation is believed to be approaching. This means the government will have to find a new senior IFS officer for this top post in the Forest Department.

Companies owned by women are declining

A few years ago, the state government began providing more incentives for women-owned companies in its industrial policy, which led to a surprising increase in the number of MSMEs registered in women’s names. However, according to recent Udyam registration data, this trend now appears to be declining. Two years ago, the number of women-owned companies was 521,320, which has now decreased to 196,924. That means there has been a reduction of 324,396 women-run units in just two years. Not only that, women’s employment and the number of MSMEs have also declined. Under these circumstances, questions have been raised about whether government policy matters are favorable toward MSMEs. The government will need to introduce new provisions for women in the new industrial policy to bring women entrepreneurs, employment, and units back on track.

Another Khaki Voice Turns Political Ahead of Elections!

There have been several cases in Gujarat where IAS and IPS officers have resigned from their jobs to contest elections. Recently, former IPS officer P.C. Baranda won the Assembly election and became a state-level minister. Following his example, Manoj Ninama, a 2006-batch IPS officer currently serving as ACP in the State Traffic Branch, has now resigned from his post to contest elections. Originally from Aravalli, this officer has long worn the khaki uniform and carried the responsibility of maintaining law and order. Now, he will enter public life wearing khadi. His decision is no longer just a personal career move—it will become a political test in the upcoming elections. Over the past three decades, there have been several instances of officers stepping into electoral politics. 

Five IAS Officers Named civic Poll Observers

The government has appointed 34 district observers for the local self-government body elections. Among them, IAS officers have been assigned as observers in five municipal corporations. These include Avantika Singh in Ahmedabad district, Dr. Vinod Rao in Surat, Lochan Sehra in Vadodara, Alok Pandey in Rajkot, and Adra Agrawal in Bhavnagar. In the remaining districts, other state officials have been appointed as observers. These observers will supervise the election process for municipal corporations, district panchayats, taluka panchayats, and municipalities in their respective districts and ensure that the elections are conducted transparently and in accordance with the rules. These officers are required to submit their reports to the State Election Commission within three days after the completion of the elections.