Who will be new BJP President?

Who will succeed J P Nadda as BJP President? One thing is certain that in the appointment the RSS will have a say. Appointment of the new President is now expected this month.

New BJP President to be from north?

Media reports these days say that the new BJP President will be from the South. Insiders, however, said that the new BJP Chief will be from the north only. In this connection, the name of Union Housing Minister, Manohar Lal Khattar has now again started doing the rounds.

IAS Sujeet Kumar is a 2010 Batch Officer of Gujarat Cadre and is currently posted as Collector of Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Heading the largest city in the state, his top priorities include handling revenue matters, land related issues and maintaining law and order.

Apart from his extensive workload, and in a quest to do more for the citizens, his vision for the district focuses on environmental sustainability " Beyond routine work, My top priorities right now are natural resource management—plantation drives, pond rejuvenation, water conservation, and creating public spaces for people in rural areas." He said

One of his key initiatives towards this is strengthening of natural ponds in rural areas.Kumar aims to rejuvenate these ponds, enhance their storage capacity and transform them into beautiful spaces where people can spend their leisure time."There are big ponds here in Gujarat," he explains. "Deepening these ponds will help recharge groundwater, which is crucial in a dry state like Gujarat. While the Narmada canal provides water, developing indigenous water sources is equally important."

Another major focus under his leadership is large-scale tree plantation."We've identified several barren areas, and cleaning them is another major priority," he notes.

In less than a month of taking charge as collector, Kumar with his ambitious bucket list aims to complete both projects before monsoon "Trees need time to take root for a higher survival rate, and pond deepening must be finished before the rains, as work cannot continue for the next two to three months once the monsoon arrives," he explains.

With these initiatives, Kumar envisions a greener and more sustainable Ahmedabad, ensuring that environmental conservation goes hand in hand with urban and rural development.

It seems the Modi Government has changed its old pattern and decided to post young officers in key positions. Firstly, he appointed 1990 batch Rajasthan cadre IAS officer Sanjay Malhotra as RBI Governor followed by 1989 batch IAS officer of Himachal Pradesh cadre Sanjay Murty as CAG. And  now appointment of 1988 batch IAS officer of Kerala cadre Gyanesh Kumar as CEC and 1989 batch IAS officer of Haryana cadre Vivek Joshi as EC and 1987 batch IAS officer of Odisha cadre Tuhin Kanta Pandey as SEBI Chief.

Sanjay Malhotra	Sanjay Murty	Gyanesh Kumar	Vivek Joshi	T K Pandey

The bureaucratic circle of Himachal Pradesh is abuzz with the speculations of new Chief Secretary. The current Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena is retiring on March 31. Saxena, the 1990 batch IAS officer, was made the Chief Secretary on December 31, 2022. Before the elevation to the post of Chief Secretary, Saxena held multiple important posts with the State Government and the Central Government. The officers said to be in race include Sanjay Gupta, who is a 1988 batch Himachal cadre officer and posted as Chief Managing Director (CMD) of Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Ltd (HPSEBL), Kamlesh Kumar Pant, a 1993 batch officer at present posted as Additional Chief Secretary (Forest), Anuradha Thakur of the 1994 batch who is at present on a Central deputation in the Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs and Onkar Sharma, at present posted as Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue). Gupta will retire on May 31, 2026 while Pant will hang the boots on December 31, 2030. Anuradha Thakur will retire on April 30, 2030 and Onkar Sharma will reach superannuation on February 28, 2027.

The 7^th Central Pay Commission (CPC) projected an additional financial burden of Rs 29,300 crore per annum due to revised allowances. Modifications will further add Rs 1,448.23 crore, bringing the total additional financial implication to Rs 30,748.23 crore annually.

K Shiva Prasad after taking VRS has joined as Director of Bhartiya Vidya  Bhawan. He is former 1993 batch IAS officer of Punjab cadre.

No officer of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) of 2009 batch from Tamil Nadu has been empanelled for holding Joint Secretary level posts in the Government of India.

An IPS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre P Dinesh Kumar is likely to proceed on central deputation. The UP Government has given its NOC to this officer. He is a 2009 batch IPS officer.

Ashish Sinha, presently Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Estonia. He is a 2005 batch IFS officer.

Raman Kumar Mehta has been granted the NFSG with effect from April 1, 2018. He is an IRS(C&IT) officer.

A vacancy of Managing Director, Bharat Petro Resources Ltd (BPRL) is arising in August with the expiring term of Barnali Barua Tokhi. The Government of India is in search of a candidate for his successor.

The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) is seeking a candidate for the post of Director (Corporate Planning, Project Business and Development), Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) falling vacant on March 15, 2025.

The Ministry of Railway Board has advertised for two Vice Chairman (Judicial) posts in Railway Claims Tribunal (RCT) for Mumbai and Secunderabad. Applications must reach on or before April 1, 2025.

Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) is seeking applications from IRAS officers for Member (Revenue), New Delhi on deputation basis.

Vineet Kumar Jawal, after promotion to CCF, has been shifted to Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu (DNH&DD) from Arunachal Pradesh. He is a 2006 batch IFoS officer of AGMUT cadre.

Mohanlal Sukhadia University is seeking a Research Investigator and two Field Investigators. Applications must reach on or before March 24, 2025.

Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL) has advertised for the post of General Manager (Security), Corporate Office, Noida on deputation basis.

Indian Port Rail and Ropeway Corporation Limited (IPRCL) has invited applications for the post of Deputy Manager (Finance and Accounts) for Bhubaneswar.

Post of Director (DS/Director level) has been advertised for Dr Ambedkar Foundation (DAF), New Delhi, under the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment. Applications must reach before March 12, 2025.

Last date to apply for two posts of Inspector Enemy Property on deputation basis in the office of the Custodian of Enemy Property for India (CEPI), Kolkata has been extended. The revised date is March 21, 2025.

Dr Badal Biswakarma has been appointed to the post of Director (I&C) on deputation basis. He has been posted with Department of Animal Husbandry, Veterinary and Dairy Development (DAHVDD), Arunachal Pradesh.

Interviews of 41 candidates for 12 posts Assistant Director (Food) in the Office of Development Commissioner,Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) will be held on April 2, 3 and 4, 2025. The morning session will be held from 9 am and the afternoon session from12 pm.

Anand Khare has been given the additional charge of Member (Services), Digital Communications Commission (DCC) for a period of three months (May 2025). He is an ITS officer.

Applications from retired government employees have been invited for Consultant post in the Disaster Management Division (DMD), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Applications must reach on or before March 30, 2025.

As many as 50 candidates have been shortlisted for 40 posts of Medical Officer (Ayurveda) in Central Establishment Department, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). Interview dates will be announced shortly.

Pushpesh R Tripathi, who is presently serving in North Central Railway (NCR), has been transferred and posted as Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Delhi, Northern Railway. He is an Indian Railway Service of Electrical Engineers (IRSEE) officer.

Akshay Kumar Marantu, who is presently returning from deputation to National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), has been posted as Additional Divisional Railway Manager (ADRM), Firozpur (FZR), at Jammu Tawi (JAT), on Northern Railway. He is an Indian Railway Service of Engineers (IRSE) officer.

Vikas Boora, who is currently serving in the Railway Board, has been transferred to North Western Railway (NWR) and posted as Additional Divisional Railway Manager (ADRM), Ajmer (AII). He is an Indian Railway Service of Engineers (IRSE) officer.

Mohd. Jawed Mazhar, who is currently serving in Central Railway (CR), has been transferred to South East Central Railway (SECR) and posted as Principal Financial Adviser (PFA) (CHOD). He is an Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS) officer.

Five IPS officers have been assigned new responsibilities in Uttarakhand. Mukesh Kumar has been posted as DIG, PAC, while Dhirendra Singh Gujyal takes over as DIGP, Crime and Law & Order and Mrs Rachita Juyal was made SP, Vigilance Establishment, Uttarakhand. Similarly, Jitendra Mehra was appointed as SP, Crime/Traffic, Haridwar and Ms Niharika Tomar will join as SP, Crime/Traffic, Udham Singh Nagar.

Aditya Mishra has been posted as DG, Fire and Emergency Services, Headquarters, Lucknow in UP. He is a 1989 batch IPS officer of UP cadre.

Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC), a key financial institution under the Ministry of Railways, has been awarded the prestigious Navratna status by the Government of India. Soon after the status, Manoj Kumar Dube, CMD &CEO, Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) on Wednesday unveiled the Navratna status logo in New Delhi. This recognition marks a significant milestone in IRFC’s journey as one of the Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSE) supporting India’s railway infrastructure. Established on December 12, 1986, as a 100% government-owned entity, IRFC has been instrumental in financing the expansion and modernisation of Indian Railways. Over the years, it has evolved into a major financial player, registering as a Public Financial Institution under the Companies Act in 1993, an NBFC under RBI in 1998, and later as an NBFC-Infrastructure Finance Company (NBFC-IFC) in 2010. In March 2018, it was granted Mini-Ratna Category-I status. The company was listed on stock exchanges in January 2021 at an IPO price of Rs 26, which has now surged to around Rs 140. With a revenue of over Rs 26,600 crore and a profit after tax exceeding Rs 6,400 crore as of March 31, 2024, IRFC is now the third-largest government NBFC in India. It has played a key role in funding nearly 80% of Indian Railways' rolling stock and was the first CPSE to issue a 30-year tenor bond in overseas markets. As of December 31, 2024, IRFC has a market capitalization of over Rs 2,00,000 crore, an asset under management (AUM) of Rs 4.61 lakh crore, a net worth of around Rs 52,000 crore, and a balance sheet size of more than Rs 4.81 lakh crore. Expressing his happiness on this achievement, Manoj Kumar Dubey, CMD & CEO of IRFC, said, "Receiving Navratna status is a reflection of IRFC’s financial strength and its commitment to supporting India’s railway infrastructure. This recognition further motivates us to expand our capabilities and contribute more meaningfully to the nation’s growth."  Beyond its core role in railway asset financing, IRFC is expanding into sectors with strong forward and backward linkages to railways, such as power generation and transmission, mining, fuel, coal, warehousing, telecom, and hospitality. The company has already secured funding for 20 BOBR rakes for NTPC, worth ₹700 crore, and was recently declared the lowest bidder to finance a ₹3,190 crore loan for Patratu Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (PVUNL), a subsidiary of NTPC. Additionally, NTPC Renewable Energy Limited (NTPC REL), a wholly owned subsidiary of NTPC Green Energy Limited (NTPC GEL), has accepted IRFC’s bid for ₹7,500 crore to finance a Rupee Term Loan (RTL) against its Request for Proposal. IRFC is also actively exploring opportunities to fund rolling stock requirements for Indian Railways customers, container train operators, renewable energy needs of Indian Railways, Metro Rail projects, port rail connectivity, and PPP projects sanctioned by Indian Railways. "We are committed to providing the most cost-effective financing solutions for capital-intensive railway projects. The whole railway ecosystem is on Capex upswing catering to the appetite of the largest population of the world in terms of freight and passenger movements both. As India moves towards a $10 trillion economy in the Amrit Kaal, IRFC will play an even greater role in mobilizing resources for infrastructure growth and modernization," said Dubey. With its growing financial strength and strategic vision, IRFC remains at the forefront of financing India’s railway infrastructure, ensuring sustained growth and long-term value for stakeholders.

Five IAS officers have been given new assignments in Chhattisgarh. Abhijeet Singh has been appointed as Collector, Durg, while Abinash Mishra takes over as Collector, Dhamtari and Ms Raina Jameel, Deputy Secretary, Commerce & Industries, will also handle charge of Secretary, Public Service Commission. Besides, Vishwadeep, was posted as CEO, District Panchayat, Raipur, and given additional charge of MD, Smart City, Raipur and Kumar Vishwaranjan was posted as CEO, District Panchayat, Raipur. 

Ajay Bhadoo has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Government e Marketplace (GeM). He is a 1999 batch IAS officer of Gujarat cadre.

Dr Ajit Ratnakar Joshi has been appointed as Executive Director (ED), Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Prior to being promoted as ED, Dr. Joshi was serving as Principal Adviser in the Department of Statistics and Information Management.

Sachin Dighde, Chief Rolling Stock Engineer, Railways, has been selected for the post of Director (Defence Business), BEML Limited at a Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) meeting held on March 5, 2025. As many as nine persons were interviewed for the same.

Avinash Champawat has been empanelled for holding Joint Secretary and equivalent posts in the Government of India. He is a 2003 batch IAS officer of Chhattisgarh cadre.

Kangale Reena Babasaheb has been empanelled for holding Joint Secretary and equivalent posts in the Government of India. He is a 2003 batch IAS officer of Chhattisgarh cadre.

Anbalagan has been empanelled for holding Joint Secretary and equivalent posts in the Government of India. He is a 2004 batch IAS officer of Chhattisgarh cadre.

Alarmelmangai D has been empanelled for holding Joint Secretary and equivalent posts in the Government of India. He is a 2004 batch IAS officer of Chhattisgarh cadre.

Saket Kumar has been empanelled for holding the post of Joint Secretary or equivalent in the Government of India. He is a 2005 batch IAS officer of Haryana cadre.

Aravind Agrawal has been empanelled for holding the post of Joint Secretary or equivalent in the Government of India. He is a 2007 batch IAS officer of Odisha cadre.

Parveen Kumar Thind has been empanelled for holding the post of Joint Secretary or equivalent in the Government of India. He is a 2007 batch IAS officer of Punjab cadre.

Dusmanta Kumar Behera has been empanelled for holding the post of Joint Secretary or equivalent in the Government of India. He is a 2007 batch IAS officer of Haryana cadre.

Prabhakar has been empanelled for holding the post of Joint Secretary or equivalent in the Government of India. He is a 2007 batch IAS officer of Sikkim cadre.

Suhas L Y has been empanelled for holding the post of Joint Secretary or equivalent in the Government of India. He is a 2007 batch IAS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre.

Vinod Kumar Suman has been empanelled for holding the post of Joint Secretary or equivalent in the Government of India. He is a 2007 batch IAS officer of Uttarakhand cadre.

P T Bhutia has been empanelled for holding the post of Joint Secretary or equivalent in the Government of India. He is a CSS (SSGSL: 2015) officer.

Three Additional Judges have been appointed as Judges of the Bombay High Court. They are: Justice Shailesh Pramod Brahme, Justice Firdosh Phiroze Pooniwalla, and Justice Jitendra Shantilal Jain.

Four Additional Judges have been appointed as Judges of the Madras High Court. They are: Justice Ramasamy Sakthivel, Justice P. Dhanabal, Justice Chinnasamy Kumarappan, and Justice Kandasamy Rajasekar.

Ms Justice Manjusha Ajay Deshpande, Additional Judge, Bombay High Court, has been appointed as Additional Judge of that High Court for a fresh term of one year with effect from August 12, 2025.

Sanjay Kulshrestha, CMD-HUDCO, chaired the Business Roundtable on Circular Economy, emphasizing innovation, collaboration, and policy-driven action to embed circularity into business models.  HUDCO remains committed to financing green solutions, supporting circular societies, and shaping sustainable infrastructure for India.

The 54th National Safety Day was observed at NLC India Limited on March 4. A Safety Mobile App “ARAN” was launched by CMD, NLCIL, Prasanna Kumar Motupalli to commemorate the occasion at a function held at the Synergy Hall, Corporate Office. Samir Swarup, Director (HR), M. Venkatachalam, Director (Power), Executive Directors, Chief General Managers, Senior officials and employees of NLCIL were present during the event. Speaking on the occasion, Prasanna Kumar Motupalli appreciated the Safety Department in bringing out the Mobile App which reinforced the utmost priority NLCIL accorded to Safety. He hoped that this would play an important role in ensuring a “Zero Accident” environment at NLCIL. He called upon all stakeholders to download the App and use it to prevent mishaps and accidents, especially in Industrial Units. Introduction of the Mobile App aligns with the theme of this year’s National Safety Day 2025 – “Safety & Well-being, crucial for Viksit Bharat” as it emphasizes the shared responsibility of creating a secure environment, he said. The Mobile App contains multiple useful features. Observation on Safety aspects like unsafe conditions or potentially harmful situations and images pertaining to these can be reported/uploaded through this App. Following appropriate action taken, the status of the observation (pending or closed) can be monitored. The App also contains accident reports, details of latest measures taken on safety aspects, Audit reports, Statistical reports, Minutes of Safety Committee meetings and latest circulars on safety issued by competent authorities. Earlier in the day, the Safety flag was hoisted at the Corporate Office by Samir Swarup, Director (HR) in the presence of M Venkatachalam, Director (Power) who also administered a Safety pledge to the gathering of employees of NLCIL. Rallies to create awareness on Safety aspects were taken out at the Thermal Power Station-I Expansion and Thermal Power Station-II Expansion led by the respective Unit Heads.

Shri Vijoy Kumar Singh, IRTS, who is currently serving as Chief Commercial Manager (CCM), PM, Central Railway (CR), has been appointed as Director (International Marketing & Operations) of Container Corporation of India Limited (CONCOR).

Ashok Kumar Jain has been appointed as Additional Director (Non-Executive Independent) of Silicon Rental Solutions Limited.

Divyanshu Navlakha has been appointed as Additional Non-Executive Director of Minal Industries Limited.

Bharat Balachandran has been appointed as Additional Director (Non-Executive Independent) of Sera Investments & Finance India Limited.

Ashok Kumar Varshney has resigned from the position of Non-Executive Non-Independent Director of Shyamkamal Investments Limited.

Naresh Gandhi has resigned as Non-Executive Independent Director of Avasara Finance Limited.

Mrs. Sona Akash Parikh has resigned from the position of Non-Executive Non-Independent Director of Minal Industries Limited.

Mrs. Sonali Roychowdhury has resigned from the position of Independent Director of Greencrest Financial Services Limited.

Janmenjoy Mandal has resigned from the position of Independent Director of Greencrest Financial Services Limited.

Ms. Barkha Balkrushnan Deshmukh has resigned from the position of Non-Executive Independent Director of Sera Investments & Finance India Limited.

New Income Tax Bill

The new Income Tax Bill presented by Nirmala Sitharaman in the Lok Sabha recently appears to be an important part of a larger effort to streamline the country's income tax system and increase revenue along with transparency. In the last 10 years, there has been a sharp increase in the number of people filing income tax returns and income tax collection. Still, a large number of rich people, many of them associated with the industry-business sector, either try not to pay income tax or pay very little. The income tax collected in many small economies of the world contributes significantly to their GDP. The complex words used in the old law have been simplified. Now 'assessment year' will be replaced by 'tax year'. The tax year will be from 1 April to 31 March. Certainly, the rights and powers of income tax officers have been increased in the new Bill. Along with this, efforts should also be made to increase the scope of income tax payers.

Anubhuti Mathur

Writing the names, official designations, official telephone numbers and email ID’s

While hearing the second appeal, the CIC observed that in many similar cases in the recent past, it has been noticed that while replying to the RTI applications and disposing First Appeals, the designated CPIO’s and FAA’s, are only scribbling their signatures and are not giving their names, official designations and their official telephone numbers and email ID’s. An advisory was issued under section 25(5) of the RTI Act to the Additional Commissioner, Central GST & Central Excise, Jamshedpur, to take note of the aberration of RTI Act being manifested in the Respondent public authority’s office and issue a direction to their PIO’s and FAA’s to write their names, designations, official telephone numbers along with email id, while replying to the RTI Applications and First Appeals in future, in accordance with the spirit of transparency and accountability as enshrined in the RTI Act. It was also directed to sensitize their officials regarding the provisions of RTI Act by way of training workshops etc. and putting in place a coherent system of checks and balances.

Comments

Vide Office Memorandum Ref. No. 10/1/2013-IR, dated 06.10.2015, the Department of Personnel and Training, had directed that the reply should contain the name, designation, official telephone number and email ID of the CPIO. Further, the name, designation, address, official telephone number and e-mail ID of the First Appellate Authority should also be clearly mentioned in case of the first appeal. All public authorities should ensure compliance of the above instructions.

Citation: Devanshi Jay Kothari v. Office of the Assistant Commissioner of GST & CX, Division V, Jamshedpur, CIC/CCESR/A/2023/143990; Date of Decision : 20.02.2025

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