Can BSP regain relevance in Delhi?
The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Supremo Mayawati, who was consigned to oblivion due to inactiveness, is expected to campaign for all seats in Delhi Assembly elections. While BJP, AAP, and Congress dominate, the BSP remains a notable player in this election. Active since 1989, the BSP has yet to secure a Lok Sabha seat but has seen limited success in assembly and civic polls. The party plans to contest all 70 assembly seats, aiming to secure Muslim and votes. The BSP’s strategy could impact Congress and AAP. Her nephew Akash may kick start the campaign with a rally in East Delhi. Though BSP won two assembly seats in 2008, its influence waned after AAP’s rise. Whether it can regain relevance remains uncertain.
BUREAUCRACY
IAS Raushan Kumar Singh’s Holistic Vision for Vidisha (MP): “Health, Education, Farmers’ Welfare, and Animal Care Are All Relevant”
IAS Raushan Kumar Singh belongs to the 2015 batch, Madhya Pradesh cadre, and is currently posted as Collector of Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh. His Holistic Vision for the district focuses on addressing a wide range of issues, encompassing from Health and Education to Farmers welfare and animal care. “All these areas are equally relevant. For instance, the Mande issue was crucial for the farmers, Chernoy Bhoomi carried immense significance, and education, as we all know, is always a top priority.” He quoted
In Health, efforts are being made to combat malnutrition and improve growth indicators among children. Singh explained that hot, nutritious meals are being cooked and provided through Anganwadi centers, benefitting approximately 20,000 children. “This is one thing, and we are looking forward to scaling it to the whole district,” he added.
On the Education front, the focus is on improving board exam results to achieve a 100% pass percentage for students. Additionally to enhance the attendance among both students and teachers measures such as geotagging and biometric attendance for teachers have been implemented. “This not only ensures regular attendance but also helps us address issues like imposters being hired in place of teachers,” he said. “What I’ve felt is that if our teaching staff is motivated, more than half our work is done. They already have good intentions and work ethics; they just need consistent nudging, monitoring, and appreciation.”
For farmers, the use of large dharamkantas has been made mandatory in mandis ensuring fairness and reduced losses. These dharamkantas are capable of weighing entire tractor trolleys, reducing losses of 40–50 kilograms per trolley. “The initiative began in Ganj Basoda, a major mandi in the district, and we’re planning to replicate it in other mandis,” he noted.
In addition to this, Under Mohan Yadav,MP CM’s leadership 370 hectares of encroached Cow Grazing lands, valued at ₹50 crores have been reclaimed and mapped to nearby gaushalas “Napier grass and cherry grass are being grown, and aushadhi kendras have been set up on this land for treating old and injured cattle,” he explained.
With this women self-help groups are also promoted to create products from cow dung and urine “Last Diwali, they made gobar diyas, which were very popular and sold well in local markets,” Singh shared, highlighting the initiative’s dual impact on employment and sustainability.
Youth is externally driven, hence is suffering: IAS Pranjal Patil
Ms Pranjal Patil Lahen Singh, Additional Director, Education, Govt of Delhi, the first visually disabled woman cleared the UPSC not once but twice- first in 2016 and then in 2017. Other than being a refined IAS officer, she makes sure that one often gets a taste of her non-preachy and forthright attitude.
Ms Pranjal redefined various administrative work structures and overcame adversities but when spoken about her how she managed to do so, she says point blank (on a lighter note), “I am bored of talking about my visual challenge”. When asked a question on ‘being an inspiration for many’ she laughs and again says, “Inspiration is not a deliberate thing. So if you try to inspire someone he or she generally feels pressurised.”
And when asked what message she wants to send across to youngsters, she again says, “Why should I give a message? I think everyone is already struggling and putting in their best.” After these dips, Whispers In The Corridors changed stance and decided to have a freewheeling conversation with her. Detailed interview in next issue of magazine…
Key positions in 2025 (4) Cabinet Secretary ending tenure this year
Cabinet Secretary T V Somanathan is scheduled to retire on May 30, 2025. He was appointed to the country’s top bureaucratic post last year. He is 1987 batch IAS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre.
Who will succeed Somanathan as Cabinet Secretary?
Who will succeed T V Somanathan as Cabinet Secretary? Besides, there is also the possibility of granting an extension to him.
Rajesh Aggarwal is also Secretary, Social Justice
Additional charge of Secretary, Department of Social Justice & Empowerment has been assigned to Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) during the period of absence on leave of Amit Yadav. He is a 1989 batch lAS officer of Maharashtra cadre.
Faiz Ahmed Kidwai appointed as DG, DGCA
Faiz Ahmed Kidwai has been appointed as Director General in the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Civil Aviation in the rank and pay of Additional Secretary to the Government of India. He is a 1996 batch lAS officer of MP cadre.
Akash Tripathi appointed as Additional Secretary, Power
Akash Tripathi has been appointed as Additional Secretary, Ministry of Power. He is a 1998 batch lAS officer of MP cadre.
K K Soan appointed as Mission Director, Jal Jeevan Mission
Kamal Kishore Soan has been appointed as Additional Secretary & Mission Director, Jal Jeevan Mission, Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti by temporarily upgrading a vacant post of Joint Secretary in the Department. He is a 1998 batch lAS officer of Jharkhand cadre.
Ashutosh Agnihotri appointed as CMD, FCI
Ashutosh Agnihotri has been appointed as Chairman & Managing Director, Food Corporation of India in the rank and pay of Additional Secretary to the Government of India. He is a 1999 batch lAS officer of Assam-Meghalaya cadre.
Post of Vinay Kumar upgraded as Additional Secretary, Road Transport
The post of Vinay Kumar as Joint Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has been upgraded as Additional Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways. He is a 1999 batch IAS officer of Bihar cadre.
Additional charge of Water Resources assigned to Ashok Kumar
The additional charge of Secretary, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation has been assigned to Ashok Kumar Kaluaram Meena, Secretary, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation during the period of absence on leave of Ms Debashree Mukherjee. He is a 1993 batch lAS officer of Odisha cadre.
Shubha Thakur appointed as Additional Secretary, ISCS
Ms Shubha Thakur has been appointed as Additional Secretary, Inter State Council Secretariat (ISCS), Ministry of Home Affairs. She is a 1989 batch CSS officer.
Brijendra Singh appointed as CMD, NALCO
Brijendra Pratap Singh, Director in-charge (Burnpur and Durgapur Steel Plants), Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) has been appointed as Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD), National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO).
M P Singh appointed as Director (Ops) RVNL
Mritunjay Pratap Singh has been appointed as Director (Operations) Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL). He is 1991 batch IRSE officer.
Air Vice Marshal Manmeet Singh takes charge of Western Command
Air Vice Marshal Manmeet Singh has taken over the charge as Senior Officer-in-Charge Administration, Headquarters Western Air Command, Indian Air Force. He was commissioned in the Administration Branch of the Indian Air Force on June 13, 1992.
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