Inside The Secretariat: Reshuffle On The Cards, IAS Crunch, And Adventure Tourism Act

Major Bureaucratic Reshuffle Likely In Gujarat

Following the recent Cabinet expansion, indications now suggest that Gujarat is headed for a major bureaucratic reshuffle. Apart from the post of Chief Secretary, a large-scale transfer of senior officials is expected, primarily to relieve officers currently holding multiple additional charges. Several bureaucrats who have been posted in the same department or district for over three years are also likely to be transferred. The government appears set to reorganise key departments, district administrations, and the police machinery ahead of the upcoming local body elections next year. Notably, Additional Chief Secretary for Higher and Technical Education, Sunayna Tomar, is due to retire at the end of November. She also currently holds additional charge of the General Administration Department (GAD). Similarly, S.J. Haider, Additional Chief Secretary for Energy and Petrochemicals, will retire in December. By the end of October, officers such as B.K. Pandya is set to retire, followed by H.K. Koya, A.M. Sharma, and A.B. Patel in November, and V.J. Rajput and Dharmendrasinh Jadeja in December. With so many senior officials completing their tenure in quick succession, several key administrative positions across the state are falling vacant—setting the stage for significant changes in Gujarat’s bureaucracy.

No Silver Lining In Diwali Gifts

This Diwali season, the usual flood of corporate gifts in the chambers of ministers and senior officials at the Gujarat Secretariat has seen a notable omission — silver coins have disappeared. Instead, boxes of sweets, assorted dry fruits, and small token gifts have become the norm. With the price of silver soaring to nearly ₹2 lakh per kilogram, even 50-gram or 100-gram coins have become too expensive for corporate houses that traditionally sent them. As a result, the much-anticipated silver coins that officials looked forward to each year are missing from this year’s festive offerings. However, in a few exceptional cases, companies that have benefitted significantly from government tenders or incentives are said to have made personal visits to ministers’ and senior officers’ residences — offering gifts even more valuable than silver. As Diwali approaches, every chamber in the Secretariat is reportedly overflowing with gift boxes. Not only ministers and officers, but even their personal assistants and secretaries are receiving gifts delivered directly to their homes. 

Gujarat Faces IAS Crunch, Calls for Centre’s Nod

The Gujarat government has initiated steps to address the shortage of IAS officers in the state. With several officers retiring every year and over a dozen currently on central deputation, the state’s administrative machinery has been adversely affected. In June this year, the state government submitted a proposal to the Centre seeking to increase the authorised strength of IAS officers in Gujarat from 313 to 343 — an addition of 20 officers. Currently, there is one IAS officer for every 2.4 lakh people in the state. Gujarat accounts for only about 5 per cent of the country’s total IAS cadre strength. Among those on deputation, 2002-batch officer Lochan Sehra, serving with IN-SPACe in Ahmedabad, and 2006-batch officer Dr. Ajay Kumar, who is posted as Joint Secretary in the Union Ministry of Defence, are likely to return to the state in the coming months. 

Thrill Meets Trust: Legal Shield For Adventure Seekers

Adventure tourism in Gujarat is emerging as an exciting and promising avenue that could significantly boost tourist inflow. The state government now plans to blend thrill with trust by introducing a dedicated Adventure Tourism Act — a first-of-its-kind legal framework for this sector. According to senior officials of the Tourism Department, high-adrenaline activities that thrive on thrill and risk will soon be governed by clear rules and regulations. The proposed law will cover activities such as trekking, river rafting, parasailing, water sports, and ziplining, making it mandatory for adventure operators and organizers to obtain proper licenses and registrations before launching operations. A regulatory authority will also be appointed to oversee compliance and monitor the implementation of safety protocols. 

Home Department Tops Government Corruption Charts

Despite receiving hefty salaries and allowances under the Seventh Pay Commission, several officers and employees in government service have crossed all limits of corruption. For bribes ranging from as little as ₹100 to over ₹1 lakh, they not only risk their jobs but also face public disgrace. According to data from the state Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), an average of around 240 corruption cases are registered every year, with the total number of cases in the past five years reaching about 1,500. Notably, in 2019 alone, 417 cases were registered, but the number has since declined to around 250 in the past three years. Official ACB data reveal that the Home Department is the most corrupt in the state government, recording the highest number of corruption cases. 

Three Key Postings Under Secretariat’s Watch

Speculation is rife that Gujarat Chief Secretary Pankaj Joshi may be granted an extension. However, if that does not happen, he is likely to be appointed to another senior position in a constitutional or government body after retirement. There is also talk that the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) could create a special post—similar to the one earlier held by Kailasanathan—to retain him in an important advisory role. Suppose the government decides to appoint a new Chief Secretary, 1990-batch IAS officer Manoj Kumar Das is being seen as the frontrunner based on seniority. Currently, he serves as Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister and also holds additional charge of the Home Department. Meanwhile, with the tenure of retired IAS officer Anil Mukim having ended, the position of Chairperson at the Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) has fallen vacant.