May 11th 2024.
Following the retirement of SKG Rahate, the Modi government has appointed Raj Kumar Goyal, a senior AGMUT cadre IAS officer, as Secretary Justice on a temporary basis. This decision highlights the challenges faced by the government in maintaining a strong pool of talent, which could be attributed to their focus on the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. While Goyal's appointment may serve as a temporary solution, it also raises concerns about the long-term sustainability of such arrangements. Many experts have pointed out that this talent deficit is a systemic issue that needs to be addressed. To combat this, the government has introduced major reforms such as lateral entry and 360-degree appraisals, with a renewed focus on lateral entry to fill top government positions with subject matter experts who are best suited for the role. It is crucial to address the root causes of talent shortage in the bureaucracy.
Interestingly, there have been indications that the government plans to make significant changes to the management of the judiciary after the elections, when they form the next government. While no details have been revealed, it is clear that Modi is determined to continue his efforts to reform the bureaucracy.
In a recent development, justice seems to be finally knocking on the door for Chhattisgarh IPS officer Gurjinder Pal Singh. After facing three false FIRs in 2021 as a result of not bowing down to the powerful figures in the state government, Singh has now been given the green light to resume his duties. The Central Administrative Tribunal has ordered his reinstatement within four weeks. Back in 2021, Singh was suspended from his duties and faced three FIRs, including charges of corruption, sedition, and extortion. However, it has now come to light that these charges were fabricated by the state Anti-Corruption Branch as a form of retaliation for Singh's involvement in investigating former Chief Minister Raman Singh in a multi-crore public distribution system scam. The CAT order has confirmed that Singh's claims that evidence was planted against him were valid. Hopefully, this marks the end of his nightmare and he will finally receive the justice he deserves for simply doing his job.
In another development, the feud between senior IAS officers Sanjeev Verma and Ashok Khemka has taken a new turn. Verma has written to state Chief Secretary TVSN Prasad, calling for disciplinary and criminal action against Khemka, a known whistleblower who has been vocal about the slow progress in the investigation into the Vadra-DLF land deal in Haryana. Khemka's unwavering commitment to transparency and justice in handling this controversial land deal has caused tensions between the two officers. This incident sheds light on the power struggles within the state's bureaucracy and possibly reflects the political rivalries at play. Khemka, known for his fearless stance against corruption, has faced numerous obstacles in his pursuit for justice, but his determination remains unwavering. It is worth noting that Khemka has managed to rub all political parties the wrong way with his emphasis on transparency and accountability, which speaks volumes about his integrity and dedication to his job.
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