Nepal bureaucracy braces for heat as Balen Shah targets old guard
Nepal's bureaucracy is set to face unprecedented heat following the election of independent Mayor Balen Shah's surprise-led coalition government, experts warn. Unveiling a bold 100-point reform agenda, the administration targets the entrenched nexus of politics in campuses and bureaucracy, vowing aggressive anti-corruption probes to restore institutional integrity.
At the core, the plan mandates depoliticisation of universities by barring political appointments and student union funding tied to partisan activities, aiming to reclaim academic spaces for merit-based governance. In the bureaucracy, sweeping audits will scrutinise over 10,000 civil service posts for loyalty-based promotions, with mandatory performance metrics replacing cadre quotas. Anti-corruption measures include fast-track probes into more than 500 high-profile cases involving ministers' kin and bureaucrats amassing unexplained wealth.
This radical pivot could streamline Nepal's governance, boosting foreign direct investment and service delivery, though implementation risks short-term paralysis. Success here may inspire India's federal reforms.
Will Amaravati get AP capital status?
The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, which led to the birth of Telangana, will see its first amendment tomorrow, April 1. The amendment seeks to include Amaravati in sub-section five as the state capital of Andhra Pradesh. The amendment may be brought for Parliament approval.
BUREAUCRACY
Secretary level postings in GoI
One dozen Secretary level postings have been made in the Government of India. Four 1995 batch IAS officers of 1995 batch have also been given posting.
(WE SAID THIS ON MARCH 26)
Ms Nivedita Shukla Verma appointed as Secretary, Pensions & Pensioners’ Welfare
Ms Nivedita Shukla Verma has been shifted from Secretary, Chemicals to Department of Pensions and Pensioners Welfare as Secretary. She is a 1991 batch IAS officer of UP cadre.
Narendra Bhooshan appointed as Secretary, Land Resources
Narendra Bhooshan has been appointed as Secretary, Land Resources. He is a 1992 batch IAS officer of UP cadre.
Chanchal Kumar appointed as Secretary, Information & Broadcasting
Chanchal Kumar has been appointed as Secretary, Information & Broadcasting. He is a 1992 batch IAS officer of Bihar cadre.
Chandra Sekhar Kumar appointed as CEO, NRAA
Chandra Sekhar Kumar has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer, National Rainfed Area Authority. He is a 1992 batch IAS officer of Odisha cadre.
Sanjay Jaju appointed as Secretary, DoNER
Sanjay Jaju has been appointed as Secretary, DoNER. He is a 1992 batch IAS officer of Telangana cadre.
Srivastava Krishna appointed as Secretary, Minority Affairs
Srivastava Krishna has been appointed as Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs. He is a 1994 batch IAS officer of Karnataka cadre.
Tejveer Singh appointed as Secretary, Chemicals & Petro-Chemicals
Tejveer Singh has been appointed as Secretary, Chemicals and Petro-Chemicals. He is a 1994 batch IAS officer of Punjab cadre.
Sanjay Lohiya appointed as Special Secretary, Financial Services
Sanjay Lohiya has been appointed as Special Secretary, Financial Services. He is a 1994 batch IAS officer of Assam Meghalaya cadre.
Rohit Kansal appointed as Secretary, Rural Development
Rohit Kansal has been appointed as Secretary, Department of Rural Development. He is a 1995 batch IAS officer of AGMUT cadre.
Bharat Harbanslal Khera appointed as Secretary, MSME
Bharat Harbanslal Khera has been appointed as Secretary, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. He is a 1995 batch IAS officer of HP cadre.
Abhishek Singh appointed as DG, NTA
Abhishek Singh has been appointed as Director General, National Testing Agency in the Secretary rank. He is a 1995 batch IAS officer of Nagaland cadre.
Bhuvnesh Kumar appointed as Secretary, Tourism
Bhuvnesh Kumar has been appointed as Secretary, Ministry of Tourism. He is a 1995 batch IAS officer of UP cadre.
IAS officer resigns in UP
Rinku Singh Rahi is reported to have resigned in Uttar Pradesh. He is 2022 batch IAS officer.
Sanjay Rastogi appointed as DG, National Archives of India in-situ
Sanjay Rastogi has been appointed as Director General, National Archives of India in-situ in the Secretary rank. He is a 1991 batch IAS officer of Odisha cadre.
Sajjan Singh Yadav appointed as Special Secretary, Expenditure in-situ
Sajjan Singh Yadav appointed as Special Secretary, Department of Expenditure in-situ in the Secretary rank. He is a 1995 batch IAS officer of AGMUT cadre.
Dharmendra appointed as Chairman Public Grievances Commission, Delhi Govt
Dharmendra has been appointed as Chairman, Public Grievances Commission, Government of Delhi. He is a retired IAS officer.
Puneet Kansal appointed as Additional Secretary, Civil Aviation
Puneet Kansal has been appointed as Additional Secretary, Civil Aviation. He is a 1996 batch IAS officer of Sikkim cadre.
Ms Mona Khandar appointed as Additional Secretary, Social Justice
Ms Mona K Khandar has been appointed as Additional Secretary, Social Justice & Empowerment. She is a 196 batch IAS officer of Gujarat cadre.
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