What Does the Latest Rajasthan Bureaucratic Reshuffle Entail?

Jaipur, June 23 (NationPress) In a significant administrative overhaul, the Rajasthan government has executed the transfer of 62 IAS officers, which includes 11 District Collectors (DCs). High-ranking officials from essential departments such as Finance, Home, and Industries have been reassigned, with additional responsibilities designated to 21 IAS officers.

This reshuffle, conducted late on Sunday night, is aimed at optimizing administration and enhancing departmental effectiveness throughout the state. Notably, Akhil Arora, a senior IAS officer, has transitioned from the Finance Department, where he served for five years, to take on the role of Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) in the Water Supply Department.

Aparna Arora, who previously held the ACS position in the Forest Department, has been reassigned to the Social Justice and Empowerment Department. Alok Gupta, formerly the Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, is now the Principal Secretary in the Industries Department. Kuldeep Ranka, who served as Principal Secretary under former CM Ashok Gehlot, has been appointed as ACS of Higher and Technical Education after being moved from the Social Justice and Empowerment Department.

IAS Anand Kumar, who has managed the Home Department since October 2022, has been reassigned to the Forest Department. Bhaskar A. Sawant will now lead the Home Department as the new ACS, while Vaibhav Galaria takes on the role of Principal Secretary in the Finance Department.

Ajitabh Sharma has moved from the Industries Department to the Energy Department as Principal Secretary. He is recognized for orchestrating the Rising Rajasthan Investment Conclave during his tenure in Industries.

Debasish Prusti, who recently returned from a diplomatic role in Brussels, has been appointed as Principal Secretary of the Urban Development and Housing (UDH) Department. Previously in the Finance Department, he will now oversee urban planning and infrastructure. Ravi Jain, formerly with the Tourism Department, has been designated as Secretary of the Autonomous Governance Department.

Municipal administration has also seen significant changes. Rukmini Riar, the Commissioner of Jaipur Greater Municipal Corporation, has been transferred to the Tourism Department as Commissioner. Gaurav Saini, the current Skill Employment Commissioner, will assume her role as the new Commissioner of Jaipur Greater Municipal Corporation. Additionally, Arun Hasija, who was the Commissioner of Jaipur Heritage Municipal Corporation, will now serve as the Collector of Rajsamand.

Qamar Ul Zaman Chaudhary has been appointed as the new Collector of Bharatpur, the home district of Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma. Previously, he served as Joint Secretary in the Water Supply Department and has experience as the Dausa Collector.

Hanuman Mal Dhaka, who was previously dismissed from the position of Dudu Collector due to a bribery case, has now been named the Director of the Departmental Investigation. He faced allegations of soliciting a bribe of Rs 25 lakh for land conversion, leading to a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), which raided his office. Since April 27, he has been awaiting posting orders.

The Collector position in Jhunjhunu district is currently vacant as Ramavtar Meena has been transferred to the role of Director of the Departmental Investigation. Moreover, the Superintendent of Police (SP) position in Jhunjhunu is also unfilled at this time, leaving both top administrative and police roles vacant.

This administrative reshuffle signifies a considerable reorganization of Rajasthan’s administrative framework, impacting multiple departments including Finance, Home, Forest, Social Justice, UDH, Tourism, and Urban Governance. Additional appointments are anticipated in the coming days to address remaining vacancies.