IAS Richie Pandey, a 2016 batch officer of Bihar cadre and currently posted as Collector of Sitamarhi is addressing long pending issues related to land rights and financial access in the district.

One of the key initiatives under his leadership has been providing land to landless families, particularly those from the backward communities. Recognizing many families have been living along roadsides or near riverbanks without any secure settlement. The administration launched a focused campaign to identify such households and settle them on available government land.

As part of this effort, around 850 land patches were allotted to families, many from economically and socially backward sections. “These were cases that had been pending for many years and we cleared them in one go”.

Alongside housing security, Pandey has also prioritised improving the Credit-Deposit Ratio (CDR) in the district. Some pockets of Sitamarhi still have limited access to formal credit and banking services so the idea is to strengthen credit linkage so people in remote areas can also access loans and banking facilities easily.

Pandey’s initiative aims to uplift the society and improve their standard of living.

Grapevine has it that the posts of Members CBIC are being re-adverised  in April and selection for 3 members-1 vacant and 2 vacant  wef August 2026. One can wait and watch.

It is proposed to fill up the post of Advisor to the Executive Director (India), International Monetary Fund (lMF), Washington D.C., USA (DS/Director level), under Department of Economic Affairs, for a period of three years on deputation basis. Nominations will be accepted till March 27 2026.

No empanelment of 1995 batch IAS officer for holding either Secretary or Secretary equivalent posts in the Government of India from Kerala cadre.

As many as 505 posts of Indian Police Service (IPS) have been lying vacant in various cadres in the country.

No empanelment of 2001 batch IAS officer for holding either Additional Secretary or Additional Secretary equivalent posts in the Government of India from Madhya Pradesh cadre.

Priya Ranjan, Director in-charge (Bokaro Steel Plant), is in the race for the post of Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) falling vacant on April 3, 2026.

A proposal for the merger of Engineering Projects India Ltd (EPIL), The Braithwaite Burn and Jessop Constructions Ltd (BBJ) and Richardson & Cruddas Ltd (R&C) with the Bridge and Roof Company (India) Limited is being moved by the Ministry of Heady Industries.

The tenure of Kasturi Sengupta as Executive Director, the New India Assurance Company Limited, is coming to an end on March 31, 2026.

The Gujarat government has appointed Administrators to the six Municipal Corporations to take over their work as the term of the elected bodies of the civic bodies will end on March 9. Accordingly, Mukesh Kumar, PS, Education Department, has been appointed as Administrator of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, while Shalini Agarwal, Managing Director, Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd. (GUVNL) will be the Administrator for Vadodara Municipal Corporation. Milind Torwane, Education Secretary, has been appointed Administrator of Surat civic body; Remya Mohan takes charge of the Rajkot civic body; Aarti Kanwar is the Administrator of Jamnagar and Harshad Patel, Secretary, Social Justice and Empowerment was appointed Administrator, Bhavnagar Municipal Corporation.

Lt Gen Pushpendra Pal Singh has been appointed as the next GOC-in-C of the Indian Army’s Western Command. Currently he is Vice Chief of Army Staff.

Jio is aggressively ramping up its artificial intelligence ventures by bringing in top talent from leading global and Indian tech firms. According to industry sources, the company is targeting senior professionals with deep expertise in data science, machine learning, and large-scale AI infrastructure. In a notable move, Jio’s talent acquisition drive is also expected to include senior executives from public sector undertakings and retired bureaucrats, particularly those with experience in digital governance and technology policy. The recruitment spree underscores Jio’s ambition to position itself as a key player in India’s emerging AI ecosystem, aligning its strategy with the government’s push toward AI-driven digital transformation. Insiders suggest that the new team will focus on building indigenous AI solutions for telecom, enterprise, and public service applications, reinforcing Jio’s broader push toward technological self-reliance.

Published reports confirm the IAF’s Request for Information (RFI) for 4-6 long-range business jets to replace its two-decade-old VIP transport fleet (e.g., Boeing 737-based aircraft). Deliveries targeted by 2029, with emphasis on enhanced communication and secure transport for top leadership. This aligns with broader modernisation under the 2026-27 defence budget.

Two officers in the grade of Additional Commissioner of Customs / Joint Commissioner of Customs in Mumbai Customs Zone-II have been given new postings. Shokendar Kumar, Additional Commissioner of Customs, has been shifted from NS-IV to CCO, while Tikendra Kumar Kripal, Joint Commissioner (in-situ) was moved from NS-IV to NS-V.

Orders have been issued regarding jurisdiction of Commissionerates (Nhava Sheva-I/ II/ III/ IV/ V/ General) under Mumbai Customs Zone-II. The Sections namely SIIB (Import), Local Risk Management (LRM), IPR Cell and Environment Protection Unit (EPU) shall stand transferred to NS-V Commissionerate, along with the officers up to the rank of Group B (Gazetted/ Non-Gazetted) who are handling these Sections.

Last date for receiving applications for the post of Secretary (JS level), National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (NCMEI), New Delhi, under the Department of Higher Education, has been extended up to March 18.

Last date for receiving nominations for the post of Advisor (Coordination & Monitoring), National Water Mission (NWM), New Delhi under Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, has been extended up to March 17.

Market and industry whispers around the proposed IRCON-RVNL merger gained momentum, with analysts predicting it could form a ₹50,000 crore+ powerhouse PSU. Potential upsides include synergies in project execution (RVNL’s domestic speed complementing IRCON’s global EPC expertise), cost savings, and stronger positioning for mega contracts in Dedicated Freight Corridors and Vande Bharat expansions. Shares of IRCON, RVNL, and related firms like Titagarh Rail Systems rallied up to 4.35% amid the buzz, though skeptics caution it’s “preliminary talk” pending approvals. This reflects a growing trend of PSU consolidations in rail infrastructure to handle rising capex (₹2.65 lakh crore for 2026-27).

Ms Padmini S. Pillai, an Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) officer, has been granted permanent absorption in National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL). Her technical resignation from Railway service has been accepted with effect from March 6, 2026, to enable her permanent absorption in NHSRCL.

Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SIFO) has advertised four posts of Deputy Director (Investigation) for Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai on deputation basis. Applications must reach latest by April 30, 2026.

Amrit Lugun, Yogendra Tripathi and Umakant Lal have been empanelled for appointment as IEMs. All are from GAIL(India) Ltd.

Lov Verma and Debashis have been empanelled for appointment as IEMs. Both are from Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE).

Kasividyasagar has been empanelled for appointment as IEM. He is a 1985 batch IAS officer and retired as Additional Chief Secretary, D/o Health, Family Welfare & Medical Education, Ranchi.

Keshav Kumar has been empanelled for appointment as IEM. He is a 1986 batch IPS officer and retired as DG of Police & Director Anti-Corruption Bureau, Gujarat.

Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA), Manesar is seeking to fill the post of Principal Researcher (School of Business Environment) on contract basis. Details can be availed from www.iica.nic.in.

Office of The Controller General of Defence Accounts is seeking Senior Accounts Officer to serve as RTC, Lucknow faculty. Applications for the same must reach latest by March 3, 2026.

Office of The Controller General of Defence Accounts is seeking Senior Accounts Officer to serve as RTC, Kolkata faculty. Applications for the same must reach latest by March 3, 2026.

Ministry of ports, Shipping and Waterways has advertised the post of Seamen’s  Provident Fund Commissioner, SPFO, Mumbai. Details can be availed from www.dgshipping.gov.in.

In a major reshuffle, as many as 37 IPS officers have been transferred and given new responsibilities in Gujarat. Shamsher Singh has been posted as Director, Civil Defence and Commandant General, Home Guards, Ahmedabad, while Ashok Kumar joins as Inspector General of Police, CID, Intelligence, Gandhinagar and Gagandeep Gambhir, IGP, Administration, Gandhinagar, will hold additional charge of IGP, State Monitoring Cell, Gandhinagar. Similarly, Gautamkumar M Parmar has been appointed as IGP, CID (Crime), Gandhinagar; Raghavendra Vatsa as IGP, Ahmedabad Range, Ahmedabad; Nilesh Bhikhbhai Jajadiya as Joint Commissioner of Police, Sector-2, Crime and Law & Order, Vadodara City; Bipin Shankarrao Ahire as IGP, Cyber Centre of Excellence, Gandhinagar; P L Mal as Additional Director, Anti-Corruption Bureau, Ahmedabad; N N Chaudhari as IGP, Intelligence-2, Gandhinagar; A G Chauhan as Joint Commissioner of Police, Traffic, Ahmedabad City; RV Asari as IGP, Bhavnagar Range, Bhavnagar; K N Damor as IGP, CID, Crime, Gandhinagar; Makrand Govindbhai Chauhan as DIG, Law & Order, Gandhinagar; Parixita V Rathod as IGP, Banaskantha Range, Palanpur; Vidhi Choudhary as DIGP, Panchmahal-Godhra Range, Godhra; Vishalkumar Baldevbhai Vaghela as DIGP, State Monitoring Cell, Gandhinagar with additional charge of DIGP, Police Recruitment Board, Gandhinagar; Leena Patil as Principal, Gujarat Police Academy, Karai; Nirlipt Rai as DIGP, Rajkot Range, Rajkot; Dipakkumar Vasudevbhai Meghani as Joint Director, Anti-Corruption Bureau, Ahmedabad; Mahendra Bagria as Additional Commissioner of Police, Sector-2, Surat City; Hiteshkumar Hansraj Josyar as DIGP, Intelligence-1, Gandhinagar; Tarun Duggal as Additional Commissioner of Police, Administration, Ahmedabad City; Chaitanya Ravindra Mandlik as Additional Commissioner of Police, Crime, Traffic & Administration, Rajkot City; Saroj Kumari as DIGP, Prison, Vadodara; Rajendrasinh Chudasama as DIGP, Junagadh Range, Junagadh; R P Barot as DIGP, Prison, Ahmedabad; G A Pandya as DIGP, Prison, Rajkot; R T Susara as Additional Commissioner of Police, Special Branch, Ahmedabad City; Sudha S Pandey as DIGP, Armed Units, Vadodara; Sujata Mazumdar as DIGP, Armed Units, Gandhinagar; Dr Sudhirkumar J Desai as Additional Commissioner of Police, Sector-1 & Traffic, Vadodara City; Balram Meena Additional Commissioner of Police, Sector-1, Surat City; Dr Karanraj Vaghela as Additional Commissioner of Police, Crime, Surat City; SV Parmar as Additional Commissioner of Police, Traffic, Surat City; A M Muniya as DIGP, Coastal Security, Ahmedabad with additional charge of DIGP, Coastal Security & Intelligence, Gandhinagar; Mayur Gulabrao Patil as Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone-8, Ahmedabad City and Wabang Jamir has been shifted and kept on waiting for posting.

Ketan Merchant has been appointed as Interim Chief Executive Officer of Fino Payments Bank Limited with effect from February 27, 2026.

Rajesh Kumar Ailawadi has been deemed elected as Shareholder Director of UCO Bank.

Sudhir Kapoor has been re-appointed as Non-Executive Independent Director of Shree Vatsaa Finance & Leasing Limited.

Kesavan Nair has been appointed as Non-Executive Independent Director of HandsOn Global Management (HGM) Limited.

Mr Ramesh F Ranka has been appointed as Additional Director (Non-Executive Independent) of Wim Plast Limited.

Bhargeshwar Banerji has resigned from the position of Independent Director of iStreet Network Limited.

Sudhakar L Mondkar has ceased to be Independent Director of Wim Plast Limited upon completion of his second term.

Bank and governance

Banks will undergo to the control of political power it will lead to more governance by private party virtually.

Nijananda Badir

Accountability is needed

External expertise need of the day with specific reference to SBI, at the earliest. Private sector professionals with accountability is very much needed.

Suresh T B

Allegation that the South Eastern Coalfields Ltd did not allow him to appear in the first appeal

The appellant sought certified copy of compassionate appointment order, entire application process etc. of a third-party and the same was denied under section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act. The respondent submitted that the appellant was informed of the first appeal hearing scheduled on 25.04.2024 vide letter dated 16.04.2024 but, he did not come for the hearing and has wrongly alleged in the instant second appeal that they did not allow him to appear in first appeal. The CIC observed that the respondent gave an appropriate reply to the appellant and dismissed the appeal holding that no further intervention is required.

Comments

To make the RTI Act effective, both the appellant and the respondent should maintain transparency in their conduct.

Citation: D. K. Soni v. South Eastern Coalfields Limited, Second Appeal No. CIC/SECFL/A/2024/117153; Date of Decision:05.12.2025.

Dr Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is a RTI Consultant currently working with IIM Vishakhapatnam. She has co-authored the books PIO’s Guide to RTI and Right to Information – Law and Practice. Her weekly article is being published since 2008 on this site. She offers consultancy on RTI matters and third party audit to individuals / organisations. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation at the link https://www.rtifoundationofindia.com

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