Caste survey in Telangana can now bite Congress itself
Caste survey, which the Congress has been using as political rhetoric, could turn into a major headache for the party. With the release of the Telangana caste survey’s findings, demands for its implementation are gaining traction right before local body polls in the state. If the demands go unheard, backward classes leaders have threatened a massive state-wide agitation, turning up the heat on the Congress Government. The caste census has revealed that backward classes (except Muslim BCs), make 46.25% of Telangana’s population, thereby making them the largest social group in the state. Following the BCs, the report reveals that Scheduled Castes (SCs) account for 17.43%, Scheduled Tribes (STs) make up 10.45%, and Muslim BCs constitute 10.08% of the state population. The nationwide caste census pitch of the Congress has been on the top with Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi as its biggest proponent. The Congress is also said to be a divided house and is sitting on the Karnataka caste survey report prepared seven years ago.
What is strategy behind Jitan Ram Manjhi’s ‘litti-chokha’ party?
The Assembly polls in Bihar are scheduled to be held by the end of this year and now the political analyst are decoding the strategy behind Jitan Ram Manjhi’s ‘litti-chokha’ party. After ‘Dahi-Chuda’ parties marked Makar Sankranti celebrations in January, Union Minister and former Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi pleasantly surprised his colleagues when he threw a ‘litti-chokha’ party for them. Those who were in attendance include state Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, several ministers and a host of other dignitaries to relish the traditional cuisine of Bihar. But the most surprising factor was the presence of the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Actually, Manjhi is demanding 20 seats in the state Assembly election, leaving his allies alarmed. Manjhi’s party Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) is the part of NDA alliance with Janata Dal United led by the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The relation of Nitish and Manjhi were strained. And now only time will tell whether the flavour of ‘litti-chokha’ stays for Nitish till the declaration of tickets.
BUREAUCRACY
IAS Namrata Gandhi’s Transforming Dhamtari(Chhattisgarh) with Water Conservation & Tribal Empowerment
IAS Namrata Gandhi is a 2013 batch IAS Officer of Chhattisgarh cadre and is currently posted as District Collector of Dhamtari, Chhattisgarh. Known for her effective administration, she has served in various capacities in the government and was also recently appointed as Deputy Secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat, Delhi.
Her vision for the district focuses on two key areas —water conservation and the upliftment of Particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs). “These two projects,” she says, “I would call my dream projects.”
Under her leadership ‘Jal Jagar’ a water conservation initiative was launched under the Prime Minister’s Jal Shakti Abhiyan. “Over the last year, we’ve worked intensively with the community, involving people in awareness campaigns, and the results have been remarkable, especially in tribal areas,” she explains.
Additionally, 26 large ponds each spanning 10 acres are being developed in the district “This has massive water conservation capacity,” she notes. Beyond this ,her administration has focused on urban water management working with industries to enforce rainwater harvesting structures and sewage treatment plants.
In agriculture, She is helping farmers transition from water intensive paddy cultivation to millets and chana “This shift has made a huge impact on our groundwater levels,” she adds.
Recognising her innovative approach, Gandhi has been selected for the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration for successfully implementing a GIS based water conservation plan in Dhamtari.
Alongside Water Conservation, Empowering Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) remains a key priority and a project close to her heart .For Kamar tribe,classified as PVTG efforts are being made to ensure that government schemes reach every household. Beyond this a focused approach is being taken across five key pillars —children, youth, women, livelihood, and habitation development.
“We have brought back 100 school dropouts into education and ensured more enrolment in nutrition and rehabilitation centers for malnourished children,” she shares.For Women’s,They are being trained in Ambar Charkha spinning and bamboo flower-making “We are enhancing their livelihood opportunities and also developing housing colonies with all essential amenities for them,” she added.
CGDA Mrs Devika Raghuvanshi retiring this month
Mrs Devika Raghuvanshi, CGDA, is scheduled to superannuate on February 28. She is a 1988 batch IDAS officer.
Anand Khare appointed as OSD to Member Services
Anand Khare, who was transferred from Bhopal, has been posted as the OSD to Member Services at the DoT HQ. He is a HAG level ITS officer.
Ms Ardra Agarwal returns to parent cadre
Ms Ardra Agarwal, DCO/DCR, Gujarat, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli, has been given premature repatriation to her parent cadre. She is a 2007 batch IAS officer of Gujarat cadre.
Suman Kumar appointed as Director (P&BD), IOCL
Suman Kumar, ED, IOCL, has been appointed as Director (Planning & Business Development), Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL).
Jafar Malik appointed as Deputy Secretary, DAJGUA
Jafar Malik has been appointed as Deputy Secretary in the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) for a period upto September 2, 2029. He is a 2013 batch IAS officer of Kerala cadre.
Dr Amit Gupta transferred to Shimla
Consequent upon repatriation from Haryana, Dr Amit Gupta has been posted as IFA, ARTRAC, Shimla. He is a 2005 batch IDAS officer.
Who will stop this NMRC- SBI ‘Khela’?
Noida Metro has an agreement with SBI to distribute Metro cards to passengers. NMRC issued the card on behalf of the SBI. A recent case has come to light that the SBI card is valid for five years- June 2023 to June 2028- but NMRC issuing it in 2023 and charging full amount of issuance. Now such passengers(customers) will avail the facility for 2.5 years instead of five years. Some passengers are making written complaints against this loot and citing the DMRC’s example where Metro care issuance and renewal is free. The NMRC has no convincing answer why the five year’s duration card is being issued for a shorter period? In this ‘Khela’ two govt PSUs are involved. Will the UP govt look into this Khela?
No empanelment at Joint Secretary level from Maharashtra
No officer of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) of 2009 batch from Maharashtra has been empanelled for holding Joint Secretary level posts in the Government of India.
Panel on ONOP held its first meeting
The first meeting of the Parliamentary Panel on ‘One Nation One Poll’ was held in Delhi. As per information former CJI, U U Lalit appeared before the panel and presented his views.
Sailas Thangal appointed as Ambassador to Kazakhstan
Y K Sailas Thangal, presently Additional Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Kazakhstan. He is a 1996 batch IFS officer.
Prof -Physiology & Biochemistry, Dte Ayush interviews in March
Interviews of 65 candidates for five posts of Assistant Professor/ Lecturer (Physiology including Biochemistry), Directorate of AYUSH, will be held from March 24 to 28, 2025. The morning session will be held from 9 am and the afternoon session will be from 12 noon.
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