Poll Code Triggers Transfer Ban Across Gujarat

Due to elections of local bodies in Gujarat, the election code of conduct has been imposed on government programs, ceremonies, and public announcements, and it will remain in force until the end of April. Elections for 15 municipal corporations, 34 district panchayats, 260 taluka panchayats, and 84 municipalities will be held on 26 April, and the results will be declared on 28 April. Therefore, for the entire month, the government will not be able to transfer any officer without approval from the State Election Commission unless there is an essential reason. However, just hours before the election dates were announced, the government carried out a large number of transfers along with promotions across various departments. Now, since cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament, and MLAs have gone to their constituencies for campaigning, the Secretariat is effectively being run only by officials. Due to the elections, the number of visitors to the Secretariat has also decreased.

Vigilance Panel Rule On Pre-Retirement Action Enforced

Departments have been instructed to submit proposals for disciplinary action against Class-1 officers at least one month before their retirement date, instead of sending them during the final days before retirement. The Gujarat Vigilance Commission had expressed dissatisfaction in its report, noting that departments often submit such proposals at the last moment before retirement, resulting in ineffective outcomes. The General Administration Department has stated that if the head of any department fails to take disciplinary action within the stipulated time, personal responsibility will lie with them. Particularly in cases involving disciplinary action, criminal proceedings, or suspension, where there is a difference of opinion between the administrative department and the concerned minister regarding a proposal, such cases must again be routed through the General Administration Department and placed before the Chief Secretary and the concerned minister for submission to the Chief Minister.

Challenges For VGRC Officers Amid War

The third Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC) is scheduled to be held in Surat on 1 and 2 May, focusing on investment opportunities in 16 districts of the state. Departments related to industry are already engaged in preparations for the conference. However, due to the war in West Asia, the chances of foreign guests attending are low. Despite this, senior officials have been instructed to continue efforts to invite foreign business delegations and diplomats. Additionally, leading industrialists and business delegations from across the state and the country will also be invited. Additional Chief Secretary (Industries) Mamta Verma, Tourism Secretary Dr. Kuldeep Arya, Industries Commissioner P. Swarup, and GIDC Managing Director Pravina DK, along with around two dozen officials from other departments, have been given targets to mobilize delegates.

Side Effect Of The Middle East War 

Amid the war in West Asia, the Gujarat government has taken an important decision to extend the 5% subsidy on electric vehicles until 31 March 2027. Currently, 6% road tax of the vehicle price is charged as road tax, and the subsidy amount will be deducted from the payable amount before depositing the road tax. In two-wheelers, a subsidy of up to ₹10,000 and in four-wheelers, a subsidy of up to ₹2.25 lakh will be available. Like other states in India, EV sales in Gujarat also increased during March. Before any shortage of petrol and diesel arises, vehicle users are searching for alternative fuel options. According to a report by the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations, inquiries for EV vehicles have increased by 300%. Compared with the March figures of the previous year, the number of EV sales has increased from 5,271 to 11,126.

Govt Taps Vikas Sahay For Police & Fire Games Mission

In recent times, retired IPS officers in Gujarat are generally not given special responsibilities in government. However, Vikas Sahay, a 1989-batch IPS officer who retired last December after receiving a six-month extension as DGP, has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the Ahmedabad Police and Fire Games Organisation. It is noteworthy that the World Police and Fire Games 2029 will be hosted in Ahmedabad, featuring shooting and other international sporting events. In 2025, these games were held in Birmingham, where more than 8,500 police personnel from over 70 countries participated. It is believed that since this is an important international event ahead of the 2030 Commonwealth Games, the government has already started preparations.

First-Ever IAS Entry Into Deputy CM’s Office

Usually, IAS officers are appointed in the Chief Minister’s Office in Gujarat, but they are not typically posted in the offices of other cabinet ministers. This time, for the first time, 2014-batch IAS officer Ashish Kumar has been appointed as Secretary in the office of Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi. He will continue to hold an additional charge as Director, Tribal Development. Earlier, when Nitin Patel was Deputy Chief Minister, no IAS officer had been appointed in his office. However, since Harsh Sanghavi handles more than 15 departments, additional officers were required in his office, leading to this appointment from the IAS cadre. Originally from Muzaffarnagar (Uttar Pradesh), Ashish Kumar holds a B.Tech degree and has previously served as a Collector.

HK Koya Steps Down Ahead Of Retirement

The voluntary retirement of 2008-batch promotee IAS officer HK Koya has become a topic of discussion in the Secretariat. The reasons behind his resignation are not yet known, but he left government service eight months before retirement. Originally from Jamnagar, he was scheduled to retire in November 2026. He last served as Development Commissioner, Gandhinagar. An additional charge has been given to the Information Commissioner, KL Bachani, who also holds an additional charge as Civil Aviation Commissioner.

CS To Lead New Recruitment Coordination Panel

The Gujarat government had earlier issued a 10-year recruitment calendar to fill vacancies arising from retirements and promotions across departments. However, there was no mechanism to monitor who would conduct recruitment and how the process would function. Recently, the General Administration Department formed a coordination committee under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary to review recruitment-related matters. Secretaries from various departments and senior officials from recruitment agencies such as GPSC, Subordinate Services Selection Board, Panchayat Services Selection Board, and Police Recruitment Board have been appointed as members. This committee will also determine uniform recruitment rules and educational qualifications for all recruitments. It is noteworthy that the Gujarat Administrative Reforms Commission had earlier recommended forming such a committee for government recruitment.