Inside The Secretariat: Power Moves, Probes, Public Missions

Maharashtra IAS Officer Donates Solar Panels In Gandhinagar

Bipin Shrimali, a 1992-batch Maharashtra cadre IAS officer and native of Kheda, Gujarat, has donated a 16.20 kW solar panel system to power the Gayatri Mandir in Gandhinagar. The donation was made at a ceremony in the presence of GMC Commissioner J B Vaghela. 

Known for his work in infrastructure and green energy, Shrimali has served as the VC & MD of MSRDC, and Secretary to Maharashtra’s Deputy CM. In Gujarat, he earlier held roles like Collector of Junagadh and the state Director of Information.

Honoured with the India Green Energy Award, he says he’s passionate about renewable energy, climate action, and affordable housing. He now heads Mahatma Phule Renewable Energy & Infrastructure Tech Ltd.

Top Bureaucrats to Join School Enrolment Drive

From June 26-28, over 400 IAS, IPS, and IFS officers, along with ministers, will leave their offices to join Gujarat’s annual School Enrolment Festival and Kanya Kelavani Mahotsav.

The drive targets 25.75 lakh student enrolments across 39,000+ government-run and government-aided schools. In its 22nd year, the programme now runs on “mission mode”, beyond the Education Department alone.

CM Bhupendra Patel has called for teamwork to boost enrolment in government schools. Chief Secretary Pankaj Joshi emphasised cross-departmental participation to strengthen the effort.

Slow To Act On Citizens' Complaints

There is a widespread allegation that various departments continue to delay preliminary inquiries, despite receiving complaints with serious allegations and supporting evidence. These early probes, due within three months, often stretch over a year.

The Roads & Buildings, Health, and Education departments top the list of slow responders. At a Committee of Secretaries meeting, the General Administration Department (GAD) stressed the need for speedier handling. The backlog risks eroding public trust and delaying disciplinary or corrective action.

Ayush Oak's Suspension Extended Amid Land Scam Probe

Suspended IAS officer Ayush Oak remains under the scanner in the Rs 2,200 crore Dumas land scam. His suspension has been extended by six more months, and a chargesheet has been filed. The government is unhappy with Oak’s silence on who directed the fraudulent transactions.

A departmental inquiry is pending, awaiting the CM’s green signal. Once approved, a senior officer will lead the probe. Oak may be offered a last chance to disclose the full picture, as top bureaucrats watch the case closely.

UPSC Aspirations Rise Among Gujarat’s Youth

More youth in Gujarat are shifting from preparing for the state's GPSC to doing so for the national-level UPSC, with recent results showing they can now compete with aspirants from states like UP, Bihar, and Jharkhand. Around 300 candidates from Gujarat cleared this year’s UPSC prelims.

The UPSC will recruit for 1,129 posts, including 979 in the Civil Services and 150 in the Forest Services. Nationally, 14,161 candidates have advanced. Gujarat’s growing presence is a sign of changing aspirations and better preparation ecosystems.

Gandhinagar Housing Crisis For Government Staff

Gandhinagar’s 50-year-old government housing stock is crumbling, leaving newly recruited and transferred employees without proper accommodation. Of the original 17,000 homes built for officials, about 4,000 are now in poor condition.

The Roads & Buildings Department has begun demolishing two- and three-storey blocks to build apartment-style replacements. The state budget has allocated Rs 646 crore for 1,500 new homes this year. Allotments are made on the basis of pay scale and cadre, but demand outpaces availability.

HFT Firms Moving To GIFT City For Tax Benefits

Gujarat’s push to bring High-Frequency Trading (HFT) firms to GIFT City is showing results. Two HFT companies have recently opened offices near the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), attracted by 100 per cent stamp duty refunds on trading.

The five-year incentive also offers tax relief, making GIFT City a growing magnet for financial players. Traders benefit from proximity to IFSC infrastructure and cost savings, putting Gujarat on the fintech map.

(with inputs from Gautam Purohit and Sanjay Vibhakar)