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Punjab gets eight new DGPs: Promotion includes two women officers; total DGP-rank officers in state now 20
Punjab gets eight new DGPs: Promotion includes two women officers; total DGP-rank officers in state now 20

Indian Express

time6 days ago

  • Politics
  • Indian Express

Punjab gets eight new DGPs: Promotion includes two women officers; total DGP-rank officers in state now 20

The Punjab government has promoted eight Indian Police Service (IPS) officers of the 1994 batch to the rank of Director General of Police (DGP). The list includes two women officers, Neerja Vohra and Anita Punj. Notably, Punj has been promoted alongside her husband, Praveen Kumar Sinha, marking a rare instance of a couple both holding the DGP rank in the state police. The other officers elevated to the top police rank are Naresh Kumar, Ram Singh, Sudhanshu Srivastava, V. Chandrashekhar, and Amardeep Singh Rai. All of them were serving at the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) level prior to this promotion. With these elevations, the total number of DGP-rank officers in Punjab has risen to 20. As per the provision and notification of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Government of India, Punjab has two sanctioned posts of DGP. The notification, issued in 2010 by the Centre under the All India Services Act, 1951 (LXI of 1951), read with sub-rules (1) and (2) of rule 4 of the Indian Police Service (Cadre) Rules, 1954, was framed in consultation with the Government of Punjab. It specifies that the state can have one DGP as the head of the police force and one DGP for home guards and civil defence. Under existing rules and DoPT guidelines, IPS officers are eligible for promotion to the ranks of Inspector General (IG), ADGP, and DGP upon completing 18, 25, and 30 years of service respectively.

'No Suitable Successor': Govt Defends DCGI's Re-Employment, Says Move Backed By Public Interest
'No Suitable Successor': Govt Defends DCGI's Re-Employment, Says Move Backed By Public Interest

News18

time6 days ago

  • Health
  • News18

'No Suitable Successor': Govt Defends DCGI's Re-Employment, Says Move Backed By Public Interest

Last Updated: The government said there is no challenge to Raghuvanshi's eligibility and several other petitions, now dismissed as withdrawn, were raised to block the reappointment The Union government has strongly defended its decision to re-employ Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi after his superannuation, calling the legal challenge to the move 'malafide" and 'speculative". The government has asserted that the appointment was made in public interest with the express approval of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC). The DCGI heads the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)—the country's apex health regulatory authority overseeing the regulation, manufacture, import, export, sale, and distribution of medicines, cosmetics, vaccines, and medical devices. As per an official notification from the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Raghuvanshi has been re-appointed on a contractual basis for one year, effective from March 1, 2025—following his superannuation. The government clarified that this extension would remain in effect until a regular appointment is made or until further orders, whichever is earlier. The re-employment was made by temporarily keeping the recruitment rules in abeyance. However, the decision has been legally challenged for allegedly bypassing established recruitment norms for a position of such critical regulatory importance. In the official response submitted to a writ petition filed in the Madurai High Court, the Centre has questioned the locus standi and alleged that the petition was filed with 'ulterior motives and for extraneous reasons". 'The central government has claimed that the petition is not maintainable and told the court that the allegations of malafides or arbitrariness remain unsubstantiated, and the petitioner has not discharged the burden of proof," a senior official privy to the development told News18, requesting anonymity. Raghuvanshi A 'Distinguished Scientist' The re-employment of the DCGI—a post the government described as holding 'great importance for the Indian pharma market"—was made for a fixed period of one year or until the appointment of a regular incumbent, 'whichever is earlier". The Centre has clarified that the rules were kept in 'abeyance temporarily" and this was permissible under existing DoPT guidelines. The government has noted that there is no challenge to the eligibility of Raghuvanshi and mentioned that several other petitions, now dismissed as withdrawn, were also raised aimed at blocking the reappointment. 'The regular selection process is still ongoing. To maintain regulatory continuity and public health safeguards, the government made a short-term contractual re-employment in the interim," said the official, explaining the contents of the reply submitted to the court. Noting that the post of DCGI is filled via deputation, including short-term contract and not through promotion, the government has clarified that restricting the appointment to promotion would create vested interests in such a 'highly technical and sensitive regulatory post". Raghuvanshi, the Centre's reply stressed, is responsible for the quality, safety, and efficacy of drugs, cosmetics, and medical devices in the country, and also plays a key role in licensing imports, clinical trial approvals, and new drug introductions. Hence, it is the responsibility of the Union government to ensure that the person holding this post has the highest level of qualifications and experience. 'The reply calls Raghuvanshi a distinguished scientist having a credible record and achievements," the official said. In-house officers not suitable The government clarified that the post of DCGI is not a promotional position and is not filled from within the feeder cadre, but through deputation, including short-term contract (ISTC) as per the recruitment rules. It added that officials from within the organisation, provided they meet the eligibility criteria, are also free to apply. The reply explained that in the past, one joint drugs controller had been appointed as DCGI on deputation, while another had held the position on an ad-hoc basis. However, at present, it said, none of the four serving joint drug controllers are considered suitable for regular appointment. 'Two officers do not meet the prescribed eligibility criteria, one is facing prosecution by the CBI under various charges including corruption, and the fourth — who had been posted to Hyderabad due to his wife's medical condition — was on extended leave for over 18 months and is reportedly not attending office regularly." The reply also underscored that exceptional circumstances justified the decision and claimed the appointment was fully within the bounds of law. Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

‘Marathi meinbolunya Hindi mein'
‘Marathi meinbolunya Hindi mein'

New Indian Express

time6 days ago

  • Politics
  • New Indian Express

‘Marathi meinbolunya Hindi mein'

What's in a language? Lots, if we are talking about the linguistic fencing in Maharashtra over Marathi and Hindi. A day before eminent lawyer Ujjwal Nikam was nominated to the Rajya Sabha, PM Narendra Modi called him. He made an unusual request: Which language should he speak with the lawyer? Hindi or Marathi? Here is Nikam, in his own words, 'The PM called me in the morning and the first thing he asked was—'Marathi meinboluya Hindi mein'? And then he spoke with me in Marathi and switched to Hindi. First, I laughed, then requested him to speak in whichever language he prefers, as he knows both Hindi and Marathi.' B.L. Santhosh, BJP general secretary (organisation) termed this the 'perfect antidote'. He placed the PM's question in perspective: 'The PM by this gave a befitting slap to those who are creating a row and trouble in the name of the local language by allegedly targeting non-Marathi speaking people, as well as honoured the language of Maharashtra—Marathi—by speaking first in Marathi. That is called a political antidote against those who are fermenting animosity in the name of language.' One wife only: DoPT sets LTC rule Babudom just got its moment of comic relief, straight from the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT). Its new circular aimed at clarifying Leave Travel Concession (LTC) rules for central government employees, declared: 'Not more than one wife' is eligible to avail the LTC facility. What! Yes, that line is now part of official government documentation. The circular defines who is 'family' to qualify for LTC benefits. It lists the ineligible categories before dropping the punchline. Guffaws echoed through the power corridors after reading it. Some wondered aloud if David Dhawan — of 'Biwi No. 1' fame — was on a secret sabbatical, moonlighting as a government typist. Humour aside, the DoPT insists the clarification was necessary. 'This department receives so many references, RTI applications, and grievances from employees across different offices regarding LTC rules,' the circular notes.

Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan gets a one-year extension in service
Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan gets a one-year extension in service

New Indian Express

time11-07-2025

  • Politics
  • New Indian Express

Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan gets a one-year extension in service

NEW DELHI: Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, a 1989-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of Sikkim cadre, has been given nearly one year extension in service, the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) said in an order issued on Friday. Mohan is scheduled to superannuate from service on September 30, 2025. In the official order, a copy of which is with TNIE, the DoPT said, 'The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved extension in services of Shri Govind Mohan, lAS (SK:89) as Home Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs beyond the date of his superannuation i.e. 30.09.2025 up to 22.08.2026 or until further orders, whichever is earlier, in terms of the provisions of FR 56 (d) and Rule 16 (1A) of the All India Services (Death-Cum-Retirement Benefits) Rules, 1958.' Mohan was appointed as the Home Secretary of the country on August 14 last year, and he took charge of his new assignment in the North Block on August 23. He was earlier serving as the Union Culture Secretary before being appointed to the top bureaucratic post, next only to the Cabinet Secretary. Initially, he was appointed as the Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the MHA. Among his peer group, Mohan is considered one of the brilliant officers currently serving the government and is known for his diligence. Earlier, he also served in the MHA as the additional secretary and had handled several key divisions, including the Union Territories and Border Management.

Important Update For Government Employees! Now All Your Service Information Will Be Stored On…
Important Update For Government Employees! Now All Your Service Information Will Be Stored On…

India.com

time09-07-2025

  • Business
  • India.com

Important Update For Government Employees! Now All Your Service Information Will Be Stored On…

photoDetails english 2929207 Updated:Jul 09, 2025, 03:21 PM IST e-service book for govt employees 1 / 7 The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has recently issued an order to all central ministries and departments to switch to e-service book and phase out the physical ones. e-HRMS 2.0 portal 2 / 7 Under this, service-related information of all government employees will be digitally stored on the e-HRMS 2.0 portal and will be regarded as official documentation. Service book on e-HRMS 2.0 portal 3 / 7 The DoPT has instructed all ministries and departments to maintain the e-service book of all employees on the e-HRMS 2.0 portal. The e-HRMS 2.0 is an online portal that provides end-to-end HR services to government employees. Physical service books to be phased out 4 / 7 Once the completeness and accuracy of data in the e-service book on e-HRMS 2.0 have been confirmed, the physical service books should be phased out. The move is aimed at eliminating redundancy, reducing dependence on physical records and improving efficiency in administrative processes. E-service book legally tenable 5 / 7 The DoPT has clarified that the e-service book maintained on the e-HRMS 2.0 portal would be treated as legally tenable for all purposes, the order said. What is e-service book? 6 / 7 The service book serves as a record of every event that occurs during a government servant's entire service period and career. It documents every administrative action concerning the government employee right from the time of recruitment until retirement to reflect their history of service. Why is e-service book important? 7 / 7 The e-service book will free up significant manpower to focus on important work. It will lead to the stoppage of the physical movement of the service book between departments. Additionally, it enables the timely verification of the service book, facilitating the timely processing and finalization of pensions.

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