BJP on the defensive?
The BJP has found itself on the back foot following Amit Shah’s recent statement regarding B R Ambedkar. This has placed the party in a challenging position, particularly as it has worked diligently in recent years to expand its appeal among Dalit and backward caste voters. Historically, the BJP was often viewed as a party representing primarily Brahmins and Baniyas. However, over the last decade, it has succeeded in broadening its base to include a more diverse spectrum of castes within the Hindu community. Dr. Ambedkar, as the principal architect of the Constitution and a Dalit icon, holds a revered position across political and social spectrums. Any perceived misstep in discussing his legacy can alienate key voter groups, especially Dalits, whom the BJP has actively courted. In the midst of this controversy, another incident has provided some relief to the BJP. A senior BJP MP was reportedly pushed by the Leader of Opposition during a heated parliamentary session. The BJP has used this event to shift the narrative and mount a counteroffensive against the Congress, accusing its leadership of disrespectful behavior.
Young MPs to discuss ‘One Nation, One Election ‘issue
As many as 39 MPs including Priyanka Gandhi, Bansuri Swaraj, Supriya Sule, Anurag Thakur are Members of JPC constituted to discuss the proposed One Nation, One Election bill. The committee also comprises members like Manish Tewari and Kalyan Banerjee who vehemently opposed the introduction of the bill. The JPC has been given the time frame of 90 days.
BUREAUCRACY
1992 batch IPS officers are DGPs in 5 States
Five officers of Indian Police Service (IPS) of the same 1992 batch are DGPs (Heads of Police) in five States. Rupin Sharma is DGP in Nagaland, while Nalin Prabhat holds the post of DGP in Jammu & Kashmir and Gaurav Yadav as DGP in Punjab. Similarly, Dr Jitender is DGP of Telangana and Idashisha Nongrang renders service as DGP in Meghalaya.
V Srinivas is also Secretary, DoPT
V Srinivas, Secretary, Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances and Department of Pensions & Pensioners Welfare has been assigned an additional charge of Secretary, Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) from December 20 to December 25 during the period of absence on leave of incumbent. He is a 1989 batch IAS officer of Rajasthan cadre.
Two Special Directors in ED denied extension
Two Special Directors presently posted at ED have been denied further extension. Monica Sharma, an IRS officer posted at the HQ is ending her tenure this month while the tenure of Sonia Narang will come to an end in January next year. She is an IPS officer and posted as Spl Director, Central Region.
UP cadre IAS officer Meshram: A life rooted in compassion
Mr Mukesh Meshram, Director General, Uttar Pradesh Tourism with additional charge of Principal Secretary Tourism and Culture, has been on the helm of various prestigious departments, but anchors his life on the values of Gautam Buddha and Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta. The 1995 batch IAS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre, originally from Balaghat, is a compassionate being who humbly terms his transition from hamlet to prominent posts as an ‘interesting journey’ and asserts ‘human nature is remembered while posts and designations fade away’.
As part of BTB series, Whispers In The Corridors spoke to Mr Meshram who recently celebrated the Foundation Day of Laxmibai Academy, the school dedicated to his late mother in Balaghat. The academy has a strength of 450 students- all coming from distant villages. Avers he, “The sole idea is to provide students value-based education in an interesting manner”. Detailed interview in January issue…
Shortage of 53 IAS officers in Gujarat cadre
A total of 260 IAS officers are in positions in Gujarat cadre against a total authorized strength of 313. There is a shortage of 53 IAS officers in the cadre.
Vinay Kumar Bassi in race for Director (E, R&D), BHEL
Vinay Kuamr Bassi, ED, BHEL, is in the race for the post of Director (Engineering, Research & Development), Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL).
M T Panda in race for CMD, HLL Lifecare
M T Panda, GM SAIL, is in the race for the post of Chairman-cum-Managing Director, HLL Lifecare.
GSR Naramsetti is also CMD, Mishra Dhatu Nigam Ltd
Gowei Sankara Rao Naramsetti, currently serving as Director (Finance) and Chief Executive Officer of Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited, has been entrusted with the additional charge of Chairman and Managing Director of the company for an initial period of three months, effective January 1, 2025.
A R Jha is High Commissioner of Zambia
Alok Ranjan Jha, presently Ambassador of India to Belarus, has been appointed as the next High Commissioner of India to the Republic of Zambia. He is a 2002 batch IFS officer.
Tenure of lateral entry posting of Govind Bansal extended
The tenure of lateral entry posting of Govind K Bansal working as Director, Department of Health & Family Welfare has been extended up to December 30, 2025.
Pravini Kumar Singh joins DoT Hqr
Pravin Kumar Singh, a 2021 batch ITS officer, has been posted at the DoT Headquarter. He is a JTS level officer.
Manoj Kumar Verma returns to parent cadre
The DGFT has relieved Manoj Kumar Verma of the posting as Director (Statistics) with effect from December 18, 2024. He is a 2006 batch ISS officer.
10 IDAS officers promoted to STS
The CGDA has promoted 10 IDAS officers to STS. They are: Manish Sharma, Ms Krishna Priya S, Ashutosh Garg, Ms Sangeeta S, Sahil T. George, Pranjal Verma, Nikhil Dube, Manoj Kumar, Hrishkesh Deshmukh and eepak Kumar. All these officers belong to the 2020 batch.
New work allocation among IGFs in MoEF&CC
K B Singh, IGF, has been relieved of the charge of RT Division and assigned charge of FPD Division, while S Rajesh, IGF, stands relieved of charge of FPD Division in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, New Delhi.
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