Rajasthan government transfers five IAS officers

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Jaipur, Dec 24 (IANS) The Rajasthan government on Wednesday carried out a minor but significant reshuffle in the bureaucracy, transferring five IAS officers while cancelling the transfer of one.

The most prominent change in the order is the appointment of Siddharth Mahajan as the new Commissioner of the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA). Mahajan, who recently returned from central deputation, was awaiting posting orders (APO) and has now been given one of the most important administrative positions in the state capital.

As per the transfer orders, Anandi, who was serving as JDA Commissioner, has been shifted and appointed as the Registrar of Cooperative Societies. Her transfer had been under discussion for some time in administrative circles.

In another major change, Rakesh Sharma, Additional Commissioner of the Jaipur Development Authority, has been transferred as Commissioner and Joint Secretary in the Information and Public Relations Department.

This move is being seen as an effort to strengthen the department responsible for government communication and outreach.

Senior IAS officer Manju Rajpal, who was holding charge as Principal Secretary, Agriculture and Cooperation, as well as Registrar, Cooperative Societies, has been relieved of the Cooperation department.

She has now been appointed Principal Secretary, Agriculture and Horticulture, and also given additional charge as Chairperson of the State Seed Corporation, placing her at the centre of agricultural policy and reforms in the state.

Meanwhile, Babulal Goyal, who was serving as Commissioner of the Devasthan Department, has been transferred and appointed as Secretary in the Rajasthan State Human Rights Commission.

In a notable decision, the government has cancelled the transfer of Om Prakash Bairwa. His earlier transfer from College Education Commissioner to Secretary, State Electricity Regulatory Commission has been withdrawn, and he will continue as College Education Commissioner.

Siddharth Mahajan’s appointment as JDA Commissioner is being viewed as a key administrative move. He has been on central deputation since 2021 and served as Joint Secretary in the Lok Sabha Secretariat.

Before moving to the Centre, Mahajan held several crucial posts in Rajasthan, including Secretary, Finance (Budget) Department, and also served as District Collector of Jaipur.

His experience in both state and central administration is expected to play a vital role in steering Jaipur’s urban development projects more effectively.

–IANS

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As of 7 a.m., at least ten monitoring stations across the city registered AQI levels above 300, placing them in the very poor range.

At Anand Vihar, the AQI stood at 300, Ashok Vihar 328, Chandni Chowk 305, and ITO 309.

Noida’s overall AQI was recorded at 294 (Poor), and sector-wise AQI ranged from 246 to 331, while Greater Noida’s Knowledge Parks 3 and 5 recorded AQI levels of 235 and 331, respectively.

The city’s 24-hour average AQI on Wednesday stood at 259, showing a slight improvement from Tuesday’s reading of 282. After nine consecutive days of air quality dipping into the very poor zone, the capital recorded some relief on Tuesday, and due to stronger daytime winds on Wednesday, conditions managed to remain within the poor category for the second day in a row.

CPCB classifications state that an AQI between 0 and 50 is tagged as good, 51–100 satisfactory, 101–200 moderate, 201–300 poor, 301–400 very poor, and 401–500 severe.

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Voter Adhikar Yatra reaches Gaya; INDIA Bloc vows to fight ‘vote chori’ (Lead)

Gaya, Aug 18 (IANS) As the Voter Adhikar Yatra, spearheaded by Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, entered Gaya district on the second day of its march, the INDIA bloc leaders asserted that the Election Commission of India (ECI) would eventually have to “bow” before their fight against alleged “vote chori” (vote theft).

The yatra, which began from Sasaram on Sunday, reached Aurangabad in the evening, where the two leaders addressed a massive public meeting before halting overnight.

The campaign seeks to raise awareness about alleged irregularities in the ECI’s Special Intensive Review (SIR) of the Bihar voter list and to mobilise people’s support ahead of the Assembly elections.

All India Mahila Congress President Alka Lamba told IANS, “Passing through Sasaram, Rohtas Nagar, and Aurangabad, Gaya will be our third district, and the fourth will follow, expanding further. This journey will last at least 16 days, covering 1,300 kilometres and 25 districts.”

Explaining the larger purpose of the yatra, she said, “The aim is to provide employment to Bihar’s rural youth who are forced to migrate, proper housing for the poor, and quality education for the students. A nine-year-old rape victim died due to inadequate treatment at a Patna hospital; all these issues are at the top of our agenda.”

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Congress MP Akhilesh Prasad Singh echoed the sentiment, telling IANS, “There is great enthusiasm and public support for Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav. As long as the SIR continues, this wave of people will keep growing. It is our resolve to ensure that the people of Bihar are not deprived of their rights. Rahul Gandhi has embarked on a 1,300-kilometre-long journey to fulfil this goal.”

RJD MP Abhay Kushwaha also lashed out at the ruling party, saying, “The entire Bharatiya Janata Party is working not only in Bihar but across the country to manipulate the Election Commission to bring about vote rigging and vote theft. This is the outrage of the common people, and you can see this anger.”

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FM Sitharaman clarifies GST issue related to apartment associations

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The Finance Minister further stated that apartment associations having maintenance charges up to Rs 7,500 per month per member or having aggregate turnover of goods and services below the threshold need not be registered under GST.

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