Kejriwal’s announcements face credibility crisis
AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal recently announced the ‘Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana’ to provide monthly honorariums to temple priests and Gurudwara Granthis. While the initiative seeks to appeal to religious communities, its timing has drawn criticism, similar to the delayed announcement of his earlier Mahila Samman Yojana. The announcement comes amidst growing discontent, particularly from the Imams of Delhi mosques, who have been protesting against the non-payment of their salary for the last 17 months. This ongoing neglect has cast a shadow over Kejriwal’s latest promises, further eroding public trust. Moreover, the AAP government in Punjab failed to fulfill its pre-election promise of providing Rs 1,000 to every woman, raising doubts about similar assurances made in Delhi.
BJP’s National President Election: Party changes strategy?
Considering the controversy in the Parliament regarding Home Minister Amit Shah’s comments on Ambedkar and the continuing onslaught of the opposition on the issue, the BJP has reportedly amended its strategy for the national President election. The party is now also considering dalit leaders to be ascended to the post. Actually, under the stewardship of a Dalit leader Mallikarjun Kharge, the Congress has been crafting an argument that the BJP is against Dalits, a strategy that has proven effective in the Lok Sabha elections. Many BJP stalwarts are of the opinion that appointing a Dalit leader could be the most efficient method to quiet the Opposition. Although the party is currently focusing on its ongoing internal organisation elections which is culminating in the appointment of a new party leader by the end of February next year, internal discussion among the senior leaders is on.
BUREAUCRACY
Vitul Kumar is also Director General, CRPF
Vitul Kumar has been assigned an additional charge of Director General (DG), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). He is a 1993 batch IPS officer of UP cadre.
K Vijayanand appointed Chief Secretary, AP; supersedes six officers
K Vijayanand, a 1992 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) batch officer, who was appointed the next Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh will be superseding six senior civil servants in the state. He is likely to take over from the outgoing Neerabh Kumar Prasad on Tuesday. The officers Chief Minister overlooked while preferring Vijayanand are Yerra Srilakshmi (IAS 1988), G Anantha Ramu (1990), and four officers from 1991 batch – G Sai Prasad, Ajay Jain, Sumita Dawra and RP Sisodia. In the previous Naidu rule from 2014 to 2019, Vijayanand was associated with Nara Lokesh as the Principal Secretary in the Information Technology and Electronics Department.
Ravindra Telang appointed as Chief Secretary, Sikkim
Ravindra Telang has been appointed as the new Chief Secretary of Sikkim. He is a 1995 batch IAS officer of Sikkim cadre.
Justice Ramasubramanian takes over as Chairperson, NHRC
Justice V Ramasubramanian, former judge of the Supreme Court of India, has taken over the charge as the new Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission, (NHRC), India.
Sanjiv Ranjan is next Secretary General of IORA
Sanjiv Ranjan will be the next Secretary General of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). He is an Indian Foreign Service Officer of 1993 batch and is presently Officer on Special Duty in the Ministry of External Affairs.
Dr Anitha Thampi selected as CMD, HLL Lifecare Ltd
Dr Anitha Thampi, Director, (T&O), has been selected for the post of Chairperson & Managing Director, HLL Lifecare Limited at a Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) meeting held on December 30, 2024. As many as 12 persons were interviewed for the same.
(We said this on Oct 2, 2024 & Dec 13, 2024)
Interviews for Director (E, R&D), BHEL today
The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) is holding interviews for the post of Director (Engineering, Research & Development), Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) on December 31, 2024.
Dr Navneet Mohan Kothari promoted to Principal Secretary grade in MP
Dr Navneet Mohan Kothari has been promoted to the Principal Secretary grade in Madhya Pradesh. He is a 2001 batch IAS officer of MP cadre.
P Narhari promoted to Principal Secretary grade in MP
P Narhari has been promoted to the Principal Secretary grade in Madhya Pradesh. He is a 2001 batch IAS officer of MP cadre.
Shortage of 13 IPS officers in AP cadre
A total of 131 IPS officers are in positions in Andhra Pradesh cadre against a total authorized strength of 144. There is a shortage of 13 IPS officers in the cadre.
Shortage of 42 IPS officers in AGMUT cadre
A total of 415 IPS officers are in positions in AGMUT cadre against a total authorized strength of 457. There is a shortage of 42 IPS officers in the cadre.
Lateral entry posting of Neeraj Gaba extended
The tenure of lateral entry posting of Neeraj Gaba, Director, Department of Commerce has been extended up to February 27, 2026.
Charges allocated among Members of CBIC
Consequent upon appointment of Mohan Kumar Singh as Member, CBIC, charges have been allocated among the Members of Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs. Accordingly, Alok Shukla, Member (Administration & Vigilance), will supervise Directorate General (DG) of NACIN, DG of Vigilance, DG of HRD and DG of Performance Management, while Shashank Piya, Member (GST, Central Excise, Service Tax) will supervise DG of GST and DG of Anti-Profiteering Authority. Similarly, Vivek Ranjan, Member (Tax Policy and Legal) will supervise Chief Commissioner (AR), CESTAT; Settlement Commission; Directorate of Legal Affairs; Surjit Bhujabal, Member (Customs), will supervise DG of Export Promotion, DG of Valuation and Authority of Advance Ruling; Ms Aruna Narayan Gupta, Member (IT, Taxpayer Services and Technology) will supervise DG of Systems & Data Management; DG of Taxpayer Services and DG of Logistics and Mohan Kumar Singh, Member (Compliance Management), will supervise DG of Revenue Intelligence, DG of GST Intelligence; DG of Analytics and Risk Management and DG of Audit.
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