In a significant administrative overhaul to kick off the new year, the Gujarat government has announced a series of promotions for senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Indian Police Service (IPS) officers. The orders, issued by the state's General Administration Department and Home Department on Thursday, mark a major bureaucratic reshuffle impacting key departments.
Senior IAS Officers Elevated to Top Ranks
The promotions notably include six IAS officers from the 1996 batch who have been elevated to the prestigious rank of Additional Chief Secretary. This group comprises Mona Khandhar, T Natarajan, Rajeev Topno, Mamta Verma, and Mukesh Kumar. Following their promotion, each officer has been assigned crucial roles as Principal Secretary across vital state ministries.
Their new postings span departments critical to Gujarat's governance and development, including Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Finance, Health & Family Welfare, Industries & Mines, and Education. This strategic placement aims to bring experienced leadership to these sectors.
Promotions for Gujarat Cadre Officers on Central Deputation
In addition to the 1996-batch officers, the state government has also promoted two other IAS officers from the Gujarat cadre to the rank of Principal Secretary. The officers are Arti Kanwar and Vijay Nehra.
Arti Kanwar, who has been promoted, currently serves as the Chief Commissioner of State Tax in Gujarat. Vijay Nehra is on central deputation, working as a Joint Secretary in the Union Health and Family Welfare Department. Their promotions acknowledge their service and seniority despite their different postings.
Major Reshuffle in Police Leadership
The Gujarat government's reshuffle extended substantially to the police force, with immediate promotions granted to 14 IPS officers. The most prominent elevations within this group are of three senior officers who have been promoted to the top police rank in the state.
The officers promoted to the rank of Director General of Police (DGP) are Narasimha Komar, Prafulla Kumar Roushan, and Rajkumar Pandian. Prior to this promotion, all three were serving at the rank of Additional Director General of Police. This move is expected to bring fresh leadership and direction to the state's police administration.
The comprehensive promotion drive underscores the state government's focus on restructuring its administrative and police machinery with seasoned officials at the helm as it steps into the new year.
