Inside The Secretariat: Shifting Dynamics Of Gujarat’s Governance

Bureaucrats Rule In PSUs

While the state Cabinet has expanded, political appointments have been delayed. As a result, for the last three years, bureaucrats have been ruling in public enterprises and institutions like the Urban Development Authority. These posts, which are usually are filled by MLAs, senior leaders and workers, were last filled by the Vijay Rupani government, but were dissolved after the government changed due to resignations.

The buzz in the corridors is that whenever in the past political appointments were made, financial results of public enterprises were disappointing, but since the officers took over, their results have been improving. This is something that has been noticed by the current government too.

Rejection Of RTI Application To Be Considered A Disciplinary Offence

Following reports of individuals misusing the RTI Act to extort money from innocent people, the state home department has ordered the police to take strict action against such activities. However, in the wake of this directive, several ordinary citizens found their RTI applications being stalled or denied.

With complaints mounting, the State Information Commission (SIC) intervened, clarifying that no citizen — except for specifically restricted cases — could be denied access to information under law. As a result, the initial home department order, which provided temporary relief to public information officers, was short-lived.

The SIC has now issued a directive, stating that refusing information to applicants beyond the explicitly restricted cases is a serious violation. Officers have been warned that any future misinterpretation of the department’s order will result in disciplinary action. The clarification serves as a crucial step in ensuring transparency, protecting citizens’ rights under the RTI Act, and holding public officials accountable for upholding the law.

Tough Cop/Sensitive Writer

Deepak Kumar Meghani, a 2010-batch IPS officer of the Gujarat cadre, is not only a dedicated law enforcement officer, but also a compelling and sensitive speaker who currently serves as the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in Gandhinagar.

Beyond his policing duties, Meghani is a prolific writer whose works have proven invaluable to students preparing for competitive exams. His book Vyuha Chakra Vyuha has been particularly beneficial in this regard. He has also authored several other books, including Kashanthir, Godhuli, Titiksha, Mashal, Guldasto, Machis, and Parnakinari. In Titiksha, he reflects on resilience, writing, "There will be an essence to the problems, there will be a world beyond."

Despite his role as a tough cop, his writings reveal a deep sense of sensitivity and emotion. For students, Meghani emphasises clarity and effectiveness in essay writing. He advises, "The essay should be legible. Its effectiveness matters more than mere aesthetics. Correct spelling, systematic presentation, proper structure, conceptual clarity, and concise yet impactful sentences are essential."

Govt Depts Default On Paying Rent

Usually, when a government building is leaded out to private users, the rent is collected on time. If there is a delay in paying rent, a notice and penal provisions are issued.

But if government departments take the same building on lease, and do not pay rent on time, no action is taken against them. That's the case with Gandhinagar's Mahatma Mandir.

The government has spent over Rs 700 crore on the building and its associated utilities. It's now time to recover the costs. In the last three years, various government departments and private firms have taken Mahatma Mandir on rent for seminars, exhibitions and events.

But the government departments are yet to pay the fixed rent, putting the Gandhinagar Railway and Urban Development Corporation, which manages the property, in trouble. The company is yet to collect rent of Rs 2.33 crore from the government departments. Despite repeated representations, the departments are not paying up.

Surat Diamond Traders Suffer For Cyber Fraud In Another State

Surat's diamond industry is facing a new threat. Following incidents of cyber fraud in Hyderabad and Bengaluru, allegedly involving their firms — Rajkot police initially froze the disputed amounts in their bank accounts, and then the entire accounts.

The accounts of at least 30 traders, amounting to over Rs 100 crore, were affected by the action of then Rajkot Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana, for alleged malpractice in another state.

Dinesh Navadiya, Chairman of Indian Diamond Institute, said Surat's diamond companies sell their goods to genuine buyers, and even though these firms are not responsible for any financial transactions made by the buyers (or transactions involving their bank accounts), their accounts have been frozen.

Now, he said, all the affected traders, already reeling under the economic downturn, are in trouble.

I P Gautam The Busiest Retired Bureaucrat

Twelve years after retirement, IAS officer I P Gautam of the 1986 batch of the Gujarat cadre, is still believed to be busier than most officers currently serving in state government departments.

First, the state government made him the chairman of Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation Limited (SRFDCL) last January. Now, he has been given the responsibility of developing the Sabarmati riverfront up to GIFT City.

Gautam has four decades' experience in public policy, including stints at financial management, urban governance, power sector management and infrastructure projects. He has been the Municipal Commissioner of Ahmedabad for five years.

In 2011-13, he was the Principal Secretary of the Urban Development Department. In 2019, he was the MD of Gujarat Metrorail Corporation. Before joining the Sabarmati Riverfront mission, he was a member of the Lokpal of India in Delhi for four years.

IPS Beat IAS In T20 Cricket Match

In the eternal game of one-upmanship between IAS and IPS cadres, the IAS have usually prevailed, even in Gujarat. Only recently, an IAS took over as Additional Chief Secretary of the state home department, despite express interest of the state IPS cadre that the post should go to one of them.

Until now.

Last week, a T20 cricket match was organised between these two cadres in which the state administration chief Pankaj Joshi and the state police chief Vikas Sahay were present. The IAS officers won the toss and chose to bat. They began well, but then lost wickets quickly, ending with 133 runs on the board. In response, the IPS team gave a solid performance with the bat and won in 19 overs. For now, they have all the bragging rights.

IAS Officers Lobbying For Vibrant Foreign Tour 

With preparations underway for the Gujarat Vibrant Summit in January 2026, in which chances of IAS officers retiring this year getting a prime role are low, there's discussion on whether they can at least land foreign tours.

After the budget session, the government is planning to send out emissaries across India and abroad to make the Vibrant Summit a success. More than 15 committees are to be announced soon as well.

This has led to simmering discontent among officers about those who have already gone on foreign tours for the previous summit. Some say the lobbying for foreign tours is as big as that for landing prime posts in the administration. It will be interesting to see which officers finally get the tickets.

(with inputs from Gautam Purohit, Mahadev Dave, Sanjay Vibhakar)